Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2020 - Page 29


Page 29 of 40

DNA-like material could bring even smaller transistors

Researchers have discovered a new material that could lead to the creation of even smaller transistors, enabling faster computing and lower power consumption. The material, shaped like a one-dimensional DNA helix, is made from tellurium and can be encapsulated in nanotubes to build functional transistors.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Electronics·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Human textiles to repair blood vessels

Scientists at Inserm have cultivated human cells in the lab to produce extracellular matrix deposits high in collagen, which can be woven into yarn to replace damaged blood vessels. This biologically derived material is expected to be well-accepted by the body and could lead to clinical trials.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Quantum technologies: New insights into superconducting processes

Scientists at the University of Münster demonstrated energy quantization in nanowires made of high-temperature superconductors, enabling simplified cooling technology and longer lifetimes for resonators. This breakthrough paves the way for new experimentally verifiable theoretical descriptions and technological developments.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

Cervical cancer elimination possible within two decades in the US

A new study suggests that scaling up cervical cancer screening coverage in the US to 90% can expedite elimination of the disease and avert more than 1,000 additional cases per year. Increasing HPV vaccination coverage also plays a critical role in reducing cervical cancer burden.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 10, 2020

Drying effects of tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones have a drying effect on the Maritime Continent, exacerbating dry seasons. Forecasting tropical cyclone activity can improve predictions for this region's circulation patterns.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Observing proteins in their natural environment

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum successfully detect protein structures in Escherichia coli bacteria using EPR spectroscopy and nanobodies. They can measure distances between proteins within native membranes, opening up new possibilities for studying membrane protein dynamics and functions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study: To slow an epidemic, focus on handwashing

A new study estimates that improving handwashing rates by travelers passing through just 10 major airports could significantly reduce the spread of many infectious diseases. The findings suggest that focusing handwashing messaging in these 10 airports could potentially slow the disease spread by as much as 37 percent.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalRisk Analysis·DateFeb 10, 2020

New DTU research supports previous studies on global sea level rise

A young student at DTU Space has demonstrated that global sea level rise has accelerated over the past four decades using data from European satellites. The new research supports previous studies and provides a more comprehensive picture of the global rise in sea levels.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalAdvances in Space Research·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Rifles and shotguns used more often in youth and rural suicides

Researchers found long guns were used more often in suicides by kids and teens than adults, particularly in rural counties. Rifles were also used during hunting season, increasing by 60%. Adopting safety measures for rifles or shotguns may prevent suicides.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalInjury Epidemiology·DateFeb 10, 2020

APS tip sheet: Predicting epidemics' speed

Scientists have developed a new model to predict the speed of epidemics in networks, providing insights into the trajectory and rate of global spread. The analysis assesses each node's likelihood of infection by a certain time, enabling more accurate forecasting of epidemic dynamics.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 10, 2020

A thermometer can be stretched and crumpled by water

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) has developed a new type of polymer ionic conductor that can be stretched and crumpled by water. This innovation enables the creation of stretchable thermometers that can measure body temperature with simple contacts, such as wearing clothes or shaking hands.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 10, 2020

Oral traditions and volcanic eruptions in Australia

Researchers applied the 40Ar/39Ar dating technique to young volcanoes in southeastern Australia, providing independent age constraints for sites older than 10,000 years. The study reveals that oral traditions surrounding volcanic activity may be among the longest-lived in the world.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Researchers virtually 'unwind' lithium battery for the first time

A team of researchers used a virtual unrolling technique to analyze a lithium battery's electrode layers, revealing unseen trends in performance degradation. By combining X-ray and neutron tomography with a mathematical model, the team gained a fuller understanding of how the battery works and how it degrades over time.

SourceThe Faraday Institution·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

Harnessing the domino effect for deployable structures

A team of researchers from Harvard SEAS has designed deployable dome using bistable joints linked by rigid bars, demonstrating the potential for morphing surfaces, reconfigurable devices, and controlled energy absorption

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Tumor vs. immune system: A battle to decide the host's fate

Researchers at University of Tsukuba found that tumor cells produce a protein called soluble CD155 to disable the immune system in mice. Soluble CD155 prevents NK cells from releasing toxic proteins to cancer cells by binding to DNAM-1, allowing tumors to grow and spread.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2020

Long-term learning requires new nerve insulation

A study in mice reveals that new nerve insulation, myelin, plays a critical role in laying down long-lasting emotional memories. Increased myelin formation is necessary for the consolidation and maintenance of fear memories, which could lead to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 10, 2020

Platform for deployable structures

Researchers developed a mechanical linkage containing bistable joints that can transform into stable, locked curves through state-transitioning wave propagation. The approach enables the creation of deployable 3D structures of arbitrary shapes with potential for larger-scale applications.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 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.

New study examines ways to improve cancer literacy in young students

A new study found that a cancer education intervention improved cancer literacy in middle and high school students in Kentucky by 30%. The study's results highlight the importance of providing cancer education material to vulnerable populations like young students, who are at risk for developing unhealthy behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalJournal of Cancer Education·DateFeb 10, 2020

Increases in minimum wage may not have anticipated positive health effects, study shows

A new study by researchers at the University of Washington found that increases in minimum wages had no overall effect on the health of working-age people. However, they did find a mix of negative and positive effects associated with the health of certain subgroups, including increased obesity rates among working-age people of color.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 10, 2020

Dolphins gather in female family groups

A new study shows that female dolphins in southern Australia form social clusters with mothers' groups, while maintaining loose bonds with same-sex individuals. The research highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect marine sanctuaries and regulate aquaculture and fishing practices.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Scientists closer to finding the cell of origin for ovarian cancer

Researchers at the University of Oxford have identified six previously unknown cell types in human Fallopian tubes using single-cell RNA sequencing, which may lead to a screening tool for ovarian cancer. The discovery sheds new light on the complexity of ovarian cancers and could lead to personalized treatments.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCancer Cell·DateFeb 10, 2020

Western diet rich in fat and sugar linked to skin inflammation

A study by UC Davis Health researchers found that a Western diet rich in fat and sugar can induce inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis. The diet's components, rather than obesity, may lead to skin inflammation and its development.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateFeb 10, 2020

NIH scientists link higher maternal blood pressure to placental gene changes

A study by NIH researchers found that higher maternal blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with chemical modifications to placental genes, including DNA methylation. The findings suggest a potential link between early origins of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure in pregnancy.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateFeb 10, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Common medication may lower risk of 'broken heart' during bereavement

A new study led by the University of Sydney has found that common medication can reduce the risk of heart attack during early bereavement. The research used a low daily dose of beta blockers and aspirin to mitigate cardiac risks without affecting grief, with reduced levels of anxiety persisting even after stopping treatment.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

CCNY chemists develop safer hydrogenation processes

Researchers at City College of New York developed a hydrogenation process that bypasses external hydrogen gas sources, reducing safety risks and costs. The new method has potential applications in undergraduate chemistry labs and medicinal fields.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalAdvanced Synthesis & Catalysis·DateFeb 10, 2020

Lack of transparency in urban sustainability rankings

Researchers found that urban sustainability rankings neglect complex causalities and lack transparency in data gathering, weighting, and aggregation processes. The study analyzed 21 similar rankings, indexes, and tools to identify methodological weaknesses and called for caution when using these tools.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·DateFeb 10, 2020

Removing CO2 from the atmosphere and the Desarc-Maresanus project

The Desarc-Maresanus project uses an alkalinization process to counteract ocean acidification and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The study found that dispersing calcium hydroxide on the surface of the sea could make it possible to halt the trend of ocean acidification, making it a promising solution to combat climate change.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Testosterone levels affect risk of metabolic disease and cancers

A new study found that higher genetic testosterone levels increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 37% in women and reduce it by 14% in men. Similarly, higher testosterone levels increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancers in women and prostate cancer in men.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2020

What makes a 'good Samaritan' good? That opinion depends on the beneficiary

A study published in Psychological Science found that people who help strangers are generally viewed as morally better and more trustworthy than those who help family members. However, this judgment changes when the helper has to choose between helping a stranger or a family member. The researchers suggest that familial obligations pla...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 10, 2020

Neural signature identifies people likely to respond to antidepressant medication

A new machine learning algorithm, SELSER, has been developed to analyze EEG data and predict individual treatment response to sertraline. The study found that specific brain signals, such as alpha waves, recorded when participants had their eyes open, can reliably identify people likely to benefit from the medication.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Study: It's devastatingly common for African mothers to experience child loss

Researchers estimate that more than half of African mothers have experienced the death of a child under age five, and nearly two thirds have experienced any child's death. This study highlights the burden of bereavement as a public health threat in low-income regions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Adapting to climate change: We're doing it wrong

A new research review argues that societal adaptation to climate change should focus on collective action and systems-level thinking, rather than individual coping strategies. The authors propose transformational change to ensure society's resilience in the face of increasing hazards.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 10, 2020

Epigenetics: Inheritance of epigenetic marks

Researchers have elucidated the mechanisms that mediate the establishment of epigenetic histone modifications following cell division. The team found that methylation patterns influence each other and are associated with specific regions of the genome, known as domains.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Immune gene activity and late-life health disparities

Research suggests that inflammation-related genes are associated with biobehavioral factors like body mass index and smoking, while interferon-related genes are linked to individual demographic factors such as sex and race/ethnicity. The study's findings could help explain social disparities in chronic diseases that emerge decades later.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Superior 'bio-ink' for 3D printing pioneered

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new 'bio-ink' for 3D printing that can serve as scaffolds for growing human tissues. The ink combines modified hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol to form a gel with controlled stiffness and binding sites for cells, enabling precise tissue growth and repair.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBiointerphases·DateFeb 10, 2020

Most men do not regret their choices for prostate cancer surgery

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that most patients who underwent prostate cancer surgery experienced low levels of decision regret. Patients who played a more active role in treatment decision-making were less likely to experience regret about their choices, regardless of whether they opted for robot-assisted or o...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateFeb 10, 2020

Single HPV vaccine dose may be effective against cervical cancer

A single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is as effective as multiple doses for preventing preinvasive cervical disease, which can later develop into cervical cancer. The risk of preinvasive cervical disease was lower in adolescents who received one, two, or three doses of the HPV vaccine compared to unvaccinated teens.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateFeb 10, 2020