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Science News Archive January 2020


Page 20 of 40

Tracking the scent of warming tundra

Researchers found that tundra warming significantly increases VOC release from plants, shifting composition towards more reactive hydrocarbons. This change in VOCs could impact plant-animal interactions and ecosystem resilience.

Mayfly declines in North American waterways

Recent studies have reported dramatic declines in mayfly emergence over major North American waterways, with up to 87.9 billion mayflies observed emerging annually. Deteriorating water quality, including warming water and nutrient-rich runoff, is believed to be the primary cause of these declines.

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.

Physics shows that imperfections make perfect

For the first time, physicists have experimentally demonstrated that certain systems with interacting entities can synchronize only if the entities within the system are different from one another. Researchers found that identical entities naturally behave identically until they start interacting and then identified scenarios in which ...

Insect bites and warmer climate means double-trouble for plants

A new study reveals that warmer temperatures worsen the productivity of infested tomato plants, causing them to produce more defense compounds in response to caterpillar attacks. This double-edged sword leads to impaired photosynthesis, decreased crop yield, and unexpected tradeoffs between defense responses and plant productivity.

Editing RNA delivers precision strike on triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers developed a new compound that targets microRNA-21, a molecule linked to aggressive breast cancer, awakening its self-destruct system and killing cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. In mouse models, the compound showed promise in reducing breast cancer spread and decreasing invasiveness in other cancers.

Discovery of new T-cell raises prospect of 'universal' cancer therapy

Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered a new type of killer T-cell with a unique T-cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes and kills most human cancer cells while ignoring healthy cells. This breakthrough has the potential to create a 'one-size-fits-all' cancer therapy, targeting a wide range of cancers in all patients.

Cancer: Faster drug discovery to hit 'undruggable' targets

A new technique developed at the University of Michigan uses bacteria to produce billions of different drug candidates that won't fall apart quickly inside the body. The peptides on bacteria are so plentiful that researchers can see how well they work right on the bacterium, enabling them to test hundreds of millions of different designs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Health of poor Brits worse than that of those born a century ago

A large study of over 200,000 working-age people found that the self-reported health of poor Brits is worse than that of people born a century ago. The gap in health has widened between the richest and poorest, with those from lower-income households more likely to have long-term conditions and poor general health.

Scientists shed light on surprising visual development patterns

Researchers reveal a key role for astrocytes in facilitating inhibitory neuron growth into the lateral geniculate nucleus during early brain development. Without retinal inputs, astrocyte function is disrupted, leading to the absence of inhibitory interneurons.

Water-repellent leaves

Researchers report that the leaves of the floating fern Salvinia molesta can efficiently recover air mattress trapped in microstructures due to interconnected wedge-shaped grooves. Artificially fabricated leaf surfaces also exhibit air mattress recovery and could prove useful in various underwater applications.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Light therapy for immune cells helps with side effects of cancer therapy

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed a light therapy approach that successfully treats severe autoimmune reactions in cancer patients. The extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) treatment activates immune cells to stop inflammation, offering a promising alternative to cortisone therapy.

Cultural influence on moral decisions

A survey across 42 countries found agreement on sacrificing one life to save many, suggesting cognitive processes underlie moral reasoning. Quantitative acceptability varied by country, with cautious cultures rejecting such sacrifices.

How diarrhea pathogens switch into attack mode at body temperature

A team of scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum has uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind Yersinia pseudotuberculosis's ability to trigger an infection in humans. By analyzing RNA thermometers, which signal temperature changes, researchers found that deactivated thermometers render the bacteria unable to cause illness.

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.

Becoming less active and gaining weight: Downsides of becoming an adult

A systematic review of existing literature found that leaving school and getting a job leads to a decrease in physical activity, while becoming a mother is linked to increased weight gain. As young adults transition into adulthood, they tend to put on weight due to changes in diet and lifestyle habits.

Strongly 'handed' squirrels less good at learning

A University of Exeter study found that grey squirrels with strong left-right preferences performed poorly on a learning task, suggesting a negative relationship between laterality and cognitive performance. The researchers measured the speed of learning among over 30 squirrels to assess both learning and lateralization.

Racial disparities in drug prescriptions for dementia

A new study found that Asian people with dementia are less likely to receive anti-dementia drugs and take them for shorter periods than white peers. Black people with dementia prescribed antipsychotic drugs take them for longer, potentially putting them at greater risk of harm.

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.

Laser diode emits deep UV light

Researchers at Nagoya University have successfully designed a laser diode that emits deep-ultraviolet light at a record-breaking wavelength of 271.8 nanometers. This achievement overcomes previous limitations and enables new applications in healthcare, such as disinfection and treating skin conditions like psoriasis.

Reward improves visual perceptual learning -- but only after people sleep

A new study suggests that reward only improves visual perceptual learning if participants follow up the task with sleep. The researchers found that reward reinforces neural circuits between reward and visual areas of the brain, which are then more likely to reactivate during sleep to facilitate task learning.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Prosecutors' race, class bias may not drive criminal justice disparities

A new study led by Christopher Robertson found no significant differences in charges, fines, and sentences across racial and socioeconomic groups. This contradicts decades' worth of previous research on prosecutorial bias. Instead, policymakers may focus on addressing disparities before arrest, such as economic development and education.

Scurvy is still a thing in Canada

Researchers at McMaster University discovered that scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, still exists in Canada. The study found 52 patients with low Vitamin C levels, including 13 with diagnosed scurvy and 39 who tested positive but lacked symptoms.

Green in tooth and claw

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that early human ancestors could have eaten hard plant foods like nuts and seeds without causing damage to their teeth. The researchers used experiments on modern tooth enamel to demonstrate that even the hardest plant tissues barely influence microwear textures.

Sanitary care by social ants shapes disease outcome

Ants' social interactions and sanitary care significantly impact the competitive outcome of coinfecting pathogens within the insect body. By modulating pathogen competition, ants' grooming helps prevent infections, altering the disease outcome.

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.

Ingestible medical devices can be broken down with light

Researchers create a new material that can break down in response to light, offering a faster and easier way to remove gastrointestinal devices. The light-sensitive hydrogel is made from a combination of strong components linked together by a chemical bond that breaks when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.

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.

America's most widely consumed oil causes genetic changes in the brain

Researchers found soybean oil causes genetic changes in the brain, affecting obesity, diabetes, and neurological conditions. The study discovered 100 genes not functioning correctly, including a gene that produces oxytocin, leading to potential ramifications for brain function and diseases.

Male sparrows are less intimidated by the songs of aging rivals

Research at Duke University found that older male swamp sparrows sing less frequently and consistently, leading other males to approach them closer. This suggests that a decline in song quality may indicate to other males that an aging rival is no longer a threat.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Psychedelic drugs could help treat PTSD

Clinical trials suggest that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is more effective than traditional therapy alone in treating PTSD. The combination of MDMA and traditional psychotherapy has shown promising results, with patients experiencing temporary adverse reactions not requiring additional medical intervention.

NASA water vapor imagery shows Tino's heavy rain potential over Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Tino's intense water vapor content and low cloud top temperatures indicate a high risk of heavy rainfall and strong winds. NASA's Aqua satellite imagery provides critical data for meteorologists to track the storm's movement and potential impact on Fiji and surrounding islands.

How sensitive can a quantum detector be?

A new device created by Aalto University and Lund University has set a new standard for measuring the tiniest energies in superconducting circuits. The calorimeter uses a strip of copper one thousand times thinner than a human hair to detect energy changes, providing essential insights into quantum thermodynamics.

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.

Digital athletics in analogue stadiums

A study by Aalto University researchers reveals that fans attend live esports events primarily for social interaction and excitement of being near sports stars. In contrast, fans watching online rated 'drama' and 'enjoyment of aggression' higher than live attendees.

Human-caused biodiversity decline started millions of years ago

A new study suggests that human-caused biodiversity decline started millions of years ago, with early hominins competing with carnivores for food. The researchers propose that human ancestors stole recently killed animals from other predators, leading to the extinction of large carnivore species in East Africa.

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.

Doubling down on cancer-causing genes

Researchers at UC Riverside are targeting cancer-causing genes Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 for novel therapies in melanoma and lung cancers. They aim to develop potent agents that can help tackle chemotherapy-resistant cancers.

What is an endangered species?

A survey of Americans reveals a disconnect between expert and public opinions on what constitutes an endangered species, with experts citing higher risk thresholds than the general public. The findings highlight the importance of synthesizing facts and values in decision-making, particularly when it comes to biodiversity protection.

Rich rewards: Scientists reveal ADHD medication's effect on the brain

Researchers scanned the brains of young adults with ADHD while taking methylphenidate to study its effect on the brain's reward system. The results showed that methylphenidate increased activity in the ventral striatum in response to rewards, suggesting a possible mechanism for improving focus and behavior in individuals with ADHD.

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.

Miniature double glazing

Researchers create a novel material with different thermal conduction properties depending on direction, combining the benefits of insulation and heat dissipation. The material's unique structure allows for efficient transfer of heat within layers while blocking it perpendicular to the layers.

Blood test for eight gene signatures can predict onset of tuberculosis

A blood test using eight gene signatures can predict the onset of tuberculosis three to six months before symptoms appear. This finding could help target antibiotics and save lives, particularly by identifying individuals at risk of developing TB disease after being infected with the bacteria.

Faking emotions at work does more harm than good

Researchers found that deep acting, trying to align feelings with interactions, leads to higher support from co-workers and progress on work goals. On the other hand, regulators who display both surface and deep acting experience physical and mental strain.

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.

Chemists have managed to stabilize the 'capricious' phosphorus

Researchers have developed a new strategy to improve the stability of black phosphorus, a promising material for optoelectronics. The most effective mechanism of fluorination has been revealed, resulting in increased stability and high antioxidative ability.

Here and gone: Outbound comets are likely of alien origin

Astronomers analyzed two outbound comets and found their paths align with an interstellar origin scenario. The results suggest that these comets likely came from outside the Solar System, improving our understanding of the outer Solar System's origins.

Human fetal lungs harbor a microbiome signature

Researchers found that human fetal lung microbiomes show changes in diversity during fetal development, with some taxonomic overlap between the placental and lung microbiomes. The study suggests that maternal-fetal microbial DNA transfer may play a role in normal lung and immune system development.

Chemists allow boron atoms to migrate

Researchers developed a method to retain boron units during C-C couplings, expanding the range of industrial boron compounds. The new process enables sequential incorporation of building blocks and potential future use in pharmaceutical production.