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Science News Archive January 2020


Page 19 of 40

How psychedelics may enhance mood at mass gatherings

Researchers found that psychedelic drug users experience increased positive mood, social connectedness, and transformative experiences at mass gatherings. The study validates previous findings in laboratory and clinical settings, suggesting potential therapeutic effects of psychedelic use.

Setting fires to avoid fires

To tackle massive wood fuel accumulations, California needs significant fuel treatments, including prescribed burns or vegetation thinning. The researchers propose solutions to overcome barriers, such as a risk-averse culture, limited finances, and complex regulations.

Medicinal cannabis may not ease sleep problems in the long run

Research suggests that medicinal cannabis users may experience increased difficulty falling asleep and more frequent waking during the night due to tolerance development. Additionally, cannabinoids have been found not to be effective in reducing cancer-related pain.

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.

Editing chicken genes for virus resistance

Researchers successfully used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to delete a specific protein necessary for avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection in chickens. The edited cells were then bred to create resistant chickens, addressing a major concern for the poultry industry.

The salt of the comet

Researchers have discovered traces of five different ammonium salts on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, shedding light on the presence of nitrogen on comets and its potential link to the emergence of life on Earth. The study found high concentrations of ammonia in the form of these salts.

A cautionary tale about measuring racial bias in policing

Two Princeton professors critique a study on racial bias in policing, pointing out that it ignored crucial factors like encounter rates and didn't account for all police-civilian interactions. The researchers' conclusions hinge on an assumption that black and white officers encounter black and white civilians equally.

Cave fights for food: Voracious spiders vs. assassin bugs

Researchers found that a wandering spider species preys on assassin bugs in a Brazilian limestone cave due to food scarcity. This unique ecological interaction may affect apex predator populations and is considered a strategic behavior for the spiders.

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.

Belly fat linked with repeat heart attacks

A large study of over 22,000 patients after a first heart attack found that abdominal obesity is independently associated with fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. Waist circumference was a stronger marker of recurrent events than overall obesity in men, while women had a U-shaped relationship between waist circumference and ...

Measuring the world of social phenomena

Researchers call for standardized protocols to enhance reproducibility in behavioral science research. Economists advocate incorporating measurement uncertainty into studies, just like in natural sciences, to identify sources of errors and improve accuracy.

Sibling rivalry and cooperation in burying beetles

Researchers examined sibling rivalry and cooperation in burying beetles, finding that full parental care leads to competition while no parental care fosters cooperation. The study suggests a link between parental care and the evolution of these behaviors.

Dialing up the heat on nanoparticles

Metallic nanotechnology is advancing rapidly, with applications in renewable energy harvesting, cancer treatment, and climate solutions. On-command drug delivery and photothermal therapy are promising areas of research, showing promising results in animal trials.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Record-breaking terahertz laser beam

Scientists at TU Wien have created a record-breaking terahertz laser beam that produces extremely efficient and high-intensity terahertz radiation. The technology generates a broad spectrum of terahertz radiation, enabling the creation of short pulses with extremely high radiation intensity.

Climate and vegetation in early human environments

A study examines climate and vegetation changes in early modern human environments, finding that periods of wet climate facilitated human migration. Variations in climate and vegetation patterns also led to contractions and expansions of regional habitats, potentially influencing the dispersal of early modern humans.

New system warns of powerline faults before they happen

A predictive Early Fault Detection system is being scaled up for commercial release after impressive results in Australia, the US and China. The system enables proactive management of electricity network assets, identifying faults that are about to happen through deterioration.

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.

Warmer and acidified oceans can lead to 'hidden' changes in species behavior

A new study shows that warmer seawater with lower pH can alter the feeding habits of the peppery furrow shell, a common clam, leading to greater tolerance among surface-dwelling invertebrates. This change affects the interaction network between porewater nutrients, primary producers, and burrowing invertebrates.

More than 2 million patients with heart disease report use of marijuana

A review article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology estimates that 2 million adults with cardiovascular disease in the US have used or currently use marijuana. Observational studies link marijuana use to increased heart risk, including stroke, arrhythmia, and decreased heart muscle function.

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.

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.

Securing radiological sources on the go

The Mobile Source Transit Security (MSTS) system is a first line of defense against radiological terrorism, providing situational awareness and security for mobile radiological materials. Developed by PNNL, the system consists of detection devices and radiofrequency tags to track radiological material.

Zika inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells

Brazilian scientists led by Rodrigo Ramos Catharino found that Zika virus inhibits tumor cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells, even when inactivated. The study, supported by FAPESP, used a human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line and identified markers of metabolic changes caused by the virus.

Smart materials are becoming smarter

A composite material was developed by researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University to create smart implants with sensing capabilities. The material combines magnetocaloric properties, allowing it to change temperature in response to magnetic fields, making it suitable for biomedical applications.

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.

Insect activity and plant climate adaptability

Plant defenses against herbivory can impede resilience to elevated temperatures. The interplay between biotic and abiotic stresses suggests that jasmonate responses are enhanced by heat-shock protein HSP90.

Social interventions for decarbonization

The study identifies six social tipping interventions that can trigger rapid change leading to decarbonization by 2050. These interventions include building carbon-neutral cities, divesting from fossil fuels, and increasing climate change education.

Scientists Studied bacterial cells in the photoemission spectrum

Researchers use a new method combining visual microscopic observations and photoemission spectrum registration to create a map of cell surface physical and chemical state. The team studied Escherichia coli cells, which produce ferritin-like proteins that can be used for nanosized constructions.

Tradeoffs in ant-cultivated crops

Ants cultivate plants in full sun to obtain more floral food, but this condition also leads to increased plant damage and fewer plant numbers. In contrast, shade-cultivated plants produce less food for the ants but receive more nitrogen fertilizer input.

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.

Magnetized molecules used to monitor breast cancer

Researchers have developed a new scanning technique using magnetized molecules to monitor breast cancer, detecting differences in tumor size, type, and grade. The scan reveals the 'topography' of tumors, providing detailed information on metabolism and identifying potential treatment options.

Parrots collaborate with invisible partners

Researchers discovered that peach-fronted conures can collaborate with invisible partners to solve a task, showcasing their sophisticated communication skills. The birds demonstrated unique approaches to the task, with one bird waiting for its partner's signal before picking up the string.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

'Reading' with aphasia is easier than 'running'

Researchers at HSE University found that people with aphasia respond more accurately and quickly when retrieving single verbs with complex argument structures, rather than relying on simpler verbs. This challenges the traditional view that linguistic complexity correlates with cognitive difficulty, suggesting that certain types of verb...

Combined prenatal smoking and drinking greatly increases SIDS risk

A new study finds that children born to mothers who both drank and smoked beyond the first trimester of pregnancy have a 12-fold increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The study also shows that prenatal alcohol exposure, particularly from heavy drinking during pregnancy, can increase SIDS risk.

Wisdom of the crowd? Building better forecasts from suboptimal predictors

Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Kozo Keikaku Engineering Inc. have introduced a method for enhancing the power of existing algorithms to forecast the future of unknown time series by combining suboptimal forecasts. This approach was tested on real-world flood data and theoretical equations with chaotic behavior, resulting in...

Melting reveals drug targets in a living organism

Researchers mapped protein-drug interactions in rat organs and blood, revealing potential drug targets. The study represents a significant advancement for translational research, allowing direct monitoring of biological changes in an organ.

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.

Ultrahigh-temporal-resolution PET imaging

Researchers developed a total-body PET/CT scanner with advanced reconstruction techniques to capture radiotracer transport in humans at 100 ms timescales. This approach offers clear images of cardiac blood pool changes throughout the cardiac cycle, enabling real-time motion tracking and neural activity analysis.

Proteins that protect against joint inflammation identified

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered two proteins, IL-4 and IL-13, that prevent immune cells from attacking joints and causing inflammation. These proteins regulate neutrophil behaviour, a type of immune cell commonly found in inflamed joints.

Platelets instead of spheres make screens more economical

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new QLED screen technology using ultra-thin nanoplatelets that emit light in one direction, increasing energy efficiency and reducing scattering losses. The technology produces high-intensity blue light with around two-fifths of the generated light reaching the observer's eye.

New research provides evidence of strong early magnetic field around Earth

Scientists have discovered evidence that the magnetic field forming around Earth was even stronger 4 billion years ago, generating a protective shield from harmful solar wind and cosmic rays. This finding has implications for understanding the future sustainability of Earth's magnetic shield and its potential for supporting life.

Dozens of non-oncology drugs can kill cancer cells

A study by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard uncovered nearly 50 non-oncology drugs that can kill cancer cells, including those for diabetes, inflammation, and arthritis. The researchers identified novel drug mechanisms and targets, suggesting a possible way to accelerate the development of new cancer drugs.

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 research confirms lingering mood benefit of psychedelics

A recent Yale study found that people who recently used psychedelics report sustained improvements in mood and feelings of social connectedness. The study, which surveyed over 1,200 festival attendees, confirms previous laboratory research indicating psychedelic substances enhance mental well-being.

Female chimps with powerful moms are less likely to leave home

A new study finds that female chimpanzees with high-ranking mothers are more likely to stay in their birth group, despite the risks of inbreeding. The benefits of having a powerful mom, including access to prime foraging spots and social clout, may outweigh the costs of staying.

Magnetic resonance imaging of breast cancer

Hyperpolarized 13C-Magnetic resonance imaging (HP 13C-MRI) reveals the conversion of pyruvate into lactate in breast cancer tumors, associated with higher tumor grades. The study suggests HP 13C-MRI as a noninvasive tool for characterizing and monitoring breast tumors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Big gains in bone marrow transplant survival since mid-2000s

Since the mid-2000s, bone marrow transplant mortality rates have declined significantly, falling by 34% between 2003-2007 and 2013-2017. This improvement is largely attributed to advancements in prevention and treatment of infections and diseases related to transplantation.

A new role for neurogenesis

Neurogenesis has been shown to have an additional role beyond learning and memory, with adult neural stem cells involved in regeneration. In a study published in JNeurosci, mice were exposed to a toxic substance that damaged the dentate gyrus, but recovered almost fully through neurogenesis.

Earth's early magnetic field

Researchers discovered evidence of a strong early magnetic field in ancient minerals, dating back to 3.2-4.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that the magnetic field was relatively strong between 4.1 and 4 billion years ago, likely powered by an internal geodynamo.

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.

An estimated 2 million people with heart disease have used marijuana, finds study

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that approximately 2 million adults in the US who have cardiovascular disease currently use or have used marijuana. The review also reveals that cannabinoids can interact with drugs used to treat heart disease, increasing the risk of adverse effects.