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Science News Archive February 2020


Page 9 of 40

Having an eye for colors: Printable light sensors

The KIT team developed printable organic photodiodes that can detect varying wavelengths, enabling color selection and filterless multichannel visible light communication. These sensors are suitable for mobile devices and have the potential to be used in various applications, including the internet of things and Industry 4.0.

Going super small to get super strong metals

Scientists have discovered that ultra-strong metals can be created by reducing grain size to below 10 nanometers, contrary to previous assumptions. The study found that high pressure overcomes grain sliding effects, leading to extreme strengthening in finely grained samples.

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.

Cook County's short-lived 'soda' tax worked, says new study

A study of beverage sales in Cook County, Illinois, found that purchases of taxed beverages decreased by 21%, even after cross-border shopping adjustments. The tax was most effective on larger-volume purchases, with a price elasticity of -0.8.

UBC researchers develop strategy to protect wine grapes from smoke-taint

A team of UBC Okanagan researchers has developed a preventative strategy for protecting grapes from volatile phenols in smoke, which can impact wine flavor. Applying an agricultural spray composed of phospholipids to wine grapes one week before exposure to simulated forest fire smoke significantly reduces smoky flavor compounds.

Ancient DNA from Sardinia reveals 6,000 years of genetic history

A new study analyzes genome-wide DNA data from 70 ancient individuals, revealing that Sardinian genetic ancestry remained relatively stable until the Iron Age, when Phoenician, Punic, and Roman populations arrived. The research provides insight into the island's unique history and ancestral connections among Mediterranean peoples.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Looking for local levers

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that high levels of nitrogen pollution lower the temperature at which coral begins to bleach and increases its severity. The team surveyed over 10,000 corals around Moorea and found that both types of branching corals showed identical responses to nutrient pollution.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Stress may drive people to give as well as receive emotional support

A study by Penn State researchers found that stress can lead to both giving and receiving emotional support from others, with effects lasting up to two days. The study, which interviewed over 1,600 participants, suggests that stress can facilitate social connections and promote emotional well-being.

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.

Let it snow: Researchers put cloud seeding to the test

Researchers have developed a method to accurately measure the volume of snow produced through cloud seeding using radar and other tools. The study found that cloud seeding produced about 282 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water in the form of snow, with snow falling from clouds for approximately 67 minutes.

Leukemia drugs hold promise for treatment-resistant lung cancer

Researchers have identified two leukemia drugs that could be used to treat lung cancer patients with triple mutant EGFR, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The drugs, gilteritinib and midostaurin, were found using a new live cell-based method developed by the University of Toronto team.

Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes

Engineers at MIT developed a small, mirrored chip that helps produce dark-field images without expensive components. The chip can be added to standard microscopes or hand-held microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.

Design of the W7-X fusion device enables it to overcome obstacles

Researchers at W7-X facility demonstrate key step in overcoming plasma leakage problem in stellarators, validating optimized design that reduces neoclassical transport and improves heat control. The breakthrough enables high-performance stellarator designs to produce clean and safe fusion reactors.

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.

Why Edgar Allan Poe probably did not kill himself

A computational analysis of Poe's language has revealed that his death was unlikely to have been a suicide. The study found inconsistent patterns of depression markers, contradicting the long-held theory of Poe's self-inflicted death.

TMS shows promise in treating stroke, dementia and migraines

A literature review by Loyola Medicine neurologist Antonio H. Iglesias highlights TMS efficacy in treating depression, OCD, and other neurological conditions, including stroke, acute migraines, and dementia. The treatment is well-tolerated with few side effects.

Research finds support for 'Trump effect'

A new study from University of California, Riverside, found that Donald Trump's racially inflammatory speech emboldened particular members of the public to express their prejudices. Exposure to such rhetoric made individuals feel more comfortable expressing their prejudice, while silence from other elites gave the impression that a nor...

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.

Self-reported student mistreatment in US medical schools

An analysis of 27,504 unique student surveys found self-reported medical student mistreatment was common, with public humiliation being the most common type. The study highlights the variation in mistreatment rates among female, Asian, underrepresented minority, and LGBTQ+ students.

How the urban environment affects the diet of its citizens

A participatory study in Bilbao reveals that the urban environment influences eating behavior, with socioeconomic differences affecting food choices. The study identified six themes, including unhealthy eating behaviors, cultural diversity, and limited involvement of citizens and authorities in improving neighborhoods.

Researchers adapt cognitive assessment for people with intellectual disability

Researchers adapted the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery to assess cognitive ability in people with intellectual disabilities aged 5 years and above, providing objective measures. The validated battery produces reliable and valid results, paving the way for further research on its adaptation for lower mental ages and older adults.

ETRI develops optical communications technology to double data transfer speed

Researchers at ETRI have developed a compact 200Gbps optical transceiver that can send and receive twice as much data as conventional methods. This new technology is expected to contribute to solving data traffic congestion in 5G networks and provides a cost-effective alternative to existing coherent modulation technologies.

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.

Shining a new light on biomimetic materials

Researchers have created a hydrogel that responds to optical stimuli and modifies the stimulus in response, trapping light within regions of the material. The discovery opens new pathways toward creating devices that aren't reliant on human control.

Campaign contributions by oil and gas companies

Oil and gas companies contributed over $84 million to US congressional candidates in 2018, largely influencing environmental policy votes. The study found a negative association between oil and gas company contributions and subsequent LCV scores, suggesting a reward system for legislators voting against pro-environmental policies.

USU herpetologist reports surprising evolutionary shift in snakes

Researchers discovered a species group of snakes in western China and Japan changed their primary diet from frogs to earthworms and firefly larvae, gaining access to the same toxic compounds. This marks the first documented case of an vertebrate predator adapting to an invertebrate prey for defense.

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.

Wildfire cycles and climate change

A study reveals a cyclical link between high-intensity Asian wildfires and dry glacial periods, with fires associated with increased dust loads and decreased CO2 levels. The findings hint at potential climate effects through the iron cycle, suggesting a connection between fires, dust, and global climate system.

Solar storms could scramble whales' navigational sense

A study found that gray whales are 4.3 times more likely to strand during solar storms due to radio frequency noise disrupting their navigational sense. Researchers believe the noise overwhelms the whales' senses, preventing them from navigating altogether.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

There's a better way to think about being kept waiting at work

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University and University of British Columbia show that abstract thinking can fuel aggressive tendencies in stressful situations like waiting. By priming people to think more concretely, managers can reduce the perception of wait time and manage aggression.

New study offers clues to origin of laws

Researchers found that modern people's judgments of crime severity align with ancient laws, indicating a universal capacity for making justice intuitions. The study provides evidence for the shared sense of justice that underlies legal codes, shedding light on the origins of laws.

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.

New tech takes radiation out of cancer screening

Researchers have developed a non-invasive system that uses harmless microwaves and artificial intelligence to detect small tumors in minutes. The device costs under $5,000 to build and can detect anomalies as small as 1 cm in diameter, potentially reducing radiation exposure and improving patient comfort.

An 'exceptionally stable' single-atom catalyst

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology design and test a catalyst composed of single platinum atoms trapped in C12A7 crystals, demonstrating high stability and activity for selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes. The approach could be adapted to various transition metals and withstand harsher conditions.

Short film of a magnetic nano-vortex

Physicists at the Paul Scherrer Institute recorded a short 'film' of the three-dimensional magnetic structure inside a material with nanoscale resolution. This reveals intricate patterns and domain walls that could be used to pack data more tightly than current methods.

Solar storms may leave gray whales blind and stranded

A new study found that gray whales are more likely to strand themselves on days with high sunspot counts, suggesting a disruption to their magnetoreceptive sensor. This suggests that solar storms may cause whales to become disoriented and lose their magnetic sense.

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.

Threatened birds and mammals have irreplaceable roles in the natural world

A recent study led by University of Southampton researchers reveals that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and vital to their environments. The research highlights the importance of charismatic species, such as Emperor Penguins and Leopards, which play unique roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.

InSight detects gravity waves, devilish dust on Mars

The InSight lander has detected gravity waves, surface swirling dust devils and the steady rumble of infrasound on Mars. The team also found daily pressure and temperature fluctuations stronger than on Earth, and convective vortices known as dust devils.

Pattern analysis in forensic identification

A study assesses the reliability of a forensic identification technique using photographic pattern analysis. The results show that even at low false positive rates, true positive rates are less than 40%, suggesting extreme caution when using this technique.

Weight gain associated with accelerated lung function decline in adulthood

A new study analyzed weight changes and their impact on lung function over a 20-year period, finding that moderate or high weight gain accelerates decline. Weight loss attenuates lung function decline in obese individuals, while maintaining low weight is crucial for preventing chronic respiratory diseases.

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.

PA school nurses on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic

A recent study by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that while many PA school nurses have a supply of naloxone, important barriers to access and use exist. The study highlights the need for increased support and education among school nurses to improve naloxone administration in schools.

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.

Obesity embargo alert for March 2020

The Obesity Society's latest research explores the pathophysiology of obesity, therapeutic goals, and differential risk. A new coding system is proposed to address suboptimal efforts in prevention and treatment, offering a personalized approach to care.

Insecticides and visual motion detection

Researchers investigated the effects of neonicotinoids and sulfoximines on locusts' collision avoidance behavior. The study found that neonicotinoids inhibit tuning of visual sensory circuits, leading to impaired motion detection at sublethal doses.