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Science News Archive January 2020 - Page 23


Page 23 of 40

Visualizing molecular patterns of membrane TNF receptors

Membrane TNFR1 receptors exist as monomers and dimers in the absence of TNFα, but form trimers and oligomers upon activation. The study reveals new insights into the physiology and patterns of TNFR1 in the cell membrane, which could be relevant for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience Signaling·DateJan 16, 2020

Detecting and mitigating network attacks with a multi-prong approach

A team of researchers has developed a novel attack detection scheme that captures vulnerable communication links, allowing systems to react optimally even under attack. The approach uses an adaptive observer to detect the onset of attacks and learns how they disrupt the system, enabling it to perform better under duress.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJan 16, 2020

Body's natural signal carriers can help melanoma spread

Researchers found that melanoma cells secrete extracellular vesicles via the hedgehog signalling pathway, intensifying malignant properties in target cells. This discovery can help develop better treatment and diagnostics for melanoma.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences·DateJan 16, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Improved brain chip for precision medicine

The Akay Lab has developed a new microfluidic brain cancer chip that can simultaneously administer multiple drugs and assess their response to glioblastoma cells. The device enables fast drug combination testing in as little as two weeks, potentially improving patient survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·DateJan 16, 2020

Fossil is the oldest-known scorpion

Researchers have discovered a fossilized scorpion from the Silurian period, revealing its transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. The ancient animal's internal organs show similarities to modern-day scorpions and horseshoe crabs, indicating it was pre-adapted for life on land.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 16, 2020

Are bigger brains better?

A larger hippocampus may not guarantee better memory in older adults, with a new study highlighting the significance of its white matter connectivity. The research analyzed over 330 participants and found that faster learning was only seen in those with both a larger hippocampus and uniform white matter structure.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJan 16, 2020

Neuromuscular organoid: It's contracting!

Researchers developed functional neuromuscular organoids that form complex neuronal networks directing muscle tissue contraction. These organoids overcome limitations in studying human neuromuscular diseases, which are caused by defects in the control of body movement.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 16, 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.

In death of dinosaurs, it was all about the asteroid -- not volcanoes

A Yale-led team of researchers argue that asteroid impacts, not volcanoes, were the primary cause of the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs. The study's findings contradict recent work on the Deccan Traps, massive eruptions in India that occurred around the time of the K-Pg extinction event.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJan 16, 2020

A sea monster's genome

Researchers successfully sequenced and annotated the giant squid's genome, providing a unique opportunity to explore its evolutionary history. The genomic draft reveals insights into the giant squid's size, growth rate, and age.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalGigaScience·DateJan 16, 2020

A new look at 'strange metals'

A new synthesis method has been developed to unlock the secrets of 'strange metals', which exhibit unusual temperature behavior. The research team's findings confirm that quantum-critical charge fluctuations play a key role in their behavior.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateJan 16, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Helping patients prep mind and body for surgery pays off, study suggests

A prehabilitation program that encourages patients to move more, eat healthier, cut back on tobacco, breathe deeper, reduce stress, and focus on their goals after surgery has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay and total costs. The study involved hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across Michigan and found that prehab patien...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 16, 2020

Deep learning enables real-time imaging around corners

Researchers developed a new laser-based system that can image around corners in real time, enabling applications such as detecting hazards or pedestrians in self-driving cars. The system uses deep learning to reconstruct hidden objects at high resolutions and speeds.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJan 16, 2020

Banking on a new community isotope database

IsoBank aims to provide a centralized repository for stable isotope data, addressing the need for accessible and organized datasets. The database will facilitate comparison across time, space, and subject, enabling researchers to build on existing knowledge.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2020

Professors create free research-backed games to train your brain

New York University professors created three digital games to train cognitive skills, which have proven effective through research studies. The games, including Gwakkamolé, CrushStations, and All You Can ET, improve executive functions like memory, inhibition, and working memory.

SourceNew York University·DateJan 16, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study unravels new insights into a Parkinson's disease protein

A study led by University at Buffalo biologist Shermali Gunawardena has explored the properties of alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease. The research suggests that deleting a specific region of the protein may help prevent key problems that occur when too much alpha-synuclein is produced.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateJan 16, 2020

Diabolical points in coupled active cavities with quantum emitters

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences have successfully demonstrated diabolical points (DPs) in two strongly coupled microdisks with embedded quantum dots. The system enables a controllable phase shift between the microdisks, indicating potential applications in directional laser and quantum phase control.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJan 15, 2020

Sub-national 'climate clubs' could offer key to combating climate change

Researchers propose sub-national climate clubs as an alternative to the UNFCCC, which has faced logistical limitations and voluntary action issues. The 'climate club' model offers exclusive trade benefits and penalties on imports from non-members to encourage participation.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 15, 2020
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.

How cells assemble their skeleton

Scientists from Heidelberg University discovered the formation of spiral-shaped microtubules using state-of-the-art cryo-EM. The study reveals how the gamma-tubulin ring complex serves as a structural template for microtubule assembly, enabling quick regulation of division and cell growth.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2020

Meningeal lymphatic network: A new avenue in the treatment of brain tumors

A new study found that reinforcing the meningeal lymphatic network increases tumor antigen traffic from the meninges to lymph nodes, triggering activation of immune cells against the tumor. This approach combines with existing immunotherapy for effective glioblastoma eradication.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2020

Sticky situation inside blood vessels can worsen stroke damage

After a stroke, sticky exosomes accumulate on the lining of blood vessels, activating platelets and causing them to adhere to the vessel walls. This buildup can lead to additional brain damage and worsen stroke outcomes. Synthetic exosomes may hold promise as potential treatment options.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 15, 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.

Beauty sleep could be real, say body clock biologists

Researchers found that a body clock mechanism boosts collagen production when we're most active, replenishing sacrificial fibrils at night. This discovery sheds light on the extracellular matrix and its role in maintaining body structure, with implications for understanding aging and wound healing.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 15, 2020

Gut bacteria hold clues to improving mental health after spinal injury

University of Alberta researcher Karim Fouad found that rats with spinal injuries experienced changes in gut bacteria and anxiety-like behavior. Fecal transplants from healthy rats restored normal gut bacteria, reducing anxiety. The study suggests that gut health may play a crucial role in mental well-being after spinal cord injuries.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2020

Nitrogen-fixing genes could help grow more food using fewer resources

Scientists have transferred genes into bacteria to convert nitrogen from the air into a natural fertilizer, reducing the need for man-made fertilizers. This research could increase crop production and alleviate environmental impacts, particularly in underdeveloped countries.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 15, 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.

Climate change NGOs from rich countries dominate online conversation, study shows

A recent study found that climate change NGOs from rich countries in the global north and Oceania are dominating the online conversation on Twitter, leaving those in developing nations at risk of being left out. The research highlights a stark divide in who is leading the international conversation on climate change among NGOs.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEnvironmental Communication·DateJan 15, 2020

Advisers not enough to guarantee a strong retirement

New research highlights the importance of employees actively participating in retirement planning to ensure strong plan performance. A study by University of Missouri professor Rui Yao found that relying solely on plan advisors is not enough to guarantee a good retirement plan, especially during market downturns.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Financial Counseling and Planning·DateJan 15, 2020

Alcohol tax reform needed

La Trobe University researchers found introducing a minimum unit price of $1.30 per standard drink in Australia could dramatically reduce alcohol consumption. This policy, already proven successful in Canada and Eastern Europe, could see a 10.7% fall in overall consumption and a 14.2% reduction among harmful drinkers.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalAddiction·DateJan 15, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Blue light can help heal mild traumatic brain injury

Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered that early morning blue light exposure therapy can aid in the healing process of people impacted by mild traumatic brain injuries. The study found that improved sleep quality led to improvements in cognitive function, reduced daytime sleepiness, and actual brain repair.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·DateJan 15, 2020

Reinventing the computer: Brain-inspired computing for a post-Moore's Law era

Researchers propose hybrid architectures to advance brain-inspired neuromorphic computing, focusing on operational functions needed to process information efficiently. The future of computing will not be about scaling components, but rethinking processor architecture to emulate brain efficiency.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateJan 15, 2020

Study contests use of smoked cannabis in treatment of cocaine addiction

Researchers found that smoked cannabis use impaired executive functions and increased the likelihood of relapse among cocaine addicts. The study suggests that harm reduction strategies using cannabis may not be effective in treating cocaine addiction.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJan 15, 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.

Air pollution from oil and gas production sites visible from space

Satellite data reveals significant increases in nitrogen dioxide pollution from oil and gas production sites in the US, particularly in the Permian, Bakken, and Eagle Ford basins. The study uses a new inventory to confirm trends and provides valuable insights for addressing emissions in a cost-efficient manner.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 15, 2020
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.

Scientists explain how leaf apex enhances water drainage

Researchers discovered that the tiny apex structure in plant leaves controls water drainage, allowing for fast absorption of excess water. This adaptation enables understory plants to survive high precipitation and humidity conditions in rainforests.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2020

Lame sheep adjust their behavior to cope with their condition, says a new study

A new study has developed a prototype tagging and monitoring system to detect lameness in sheep. The system uses smart wearable technology that tracks the animal's behavior and movement, identifying features that differ between lame and non-lame sheep. This can help improve sheep health and welfare on farms.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJan 15, 2020

Imprinted color patterns

Chinese researchers create an azopolymer that allows light-induced nanoimprinting at room temperature, overcoming heat-dependent issues in traditional photolithography. The technique enables the creation of structurally colored surfaces and has potential applications in nanofabrication and electronics industry.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 15, 2020

MDI Biological Laboratory will use new animal model to study aging

The MDI Biological Laboratory will use the African turquoise killifish, a vertebrate with a short lifespan of four to six months, to study aging and its relation to regeneration. This model shares symptoms of aging with humans, including loss of muscle mass and decline in immune function.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateJan 15, 2020

Male songbirds can't survive on good looks alone, says a new study

Researchers found that males with longer, more elaborate plumage produce longer-lasting sperm, which helps them compete for mates. The study, published in Biology Letters, analyzed 278 species of songbirds and suggests that intense competition drives both the evolution of plumage and sperm quality.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBiology Letters·DateJan 15, 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.

Whooping cough evolving into a superbug

UNSW researchers found that whooping cough bacteria are adapting to evade vaccine-generated immunity by producing more nutrient-binding proteins and fewer immunogenic proteins. A new vaccine is needed to protect vulnerable populations, particularly newborns and those with weakened immune systems.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalVaccine·DateJan 15, 2020

Predicting the year in chemistry

The American Chemical Society forecasts a year marked by environmental improvements, such as reducing plastic use and recycling. Regulatory actions are also expected, including updated chemical risk assessments and classification of PFAS as hazardous materials.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 15, 2020

B-cell enrichment predictive of immunotherapy response in melanoma, sarcoma and kidney cancer

Researchers found that B-cell markers were associated with improved overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma and soft-tissue sarcomas. B cells located within specialized immune-cell clusters (TLS) were predictive of response to checkpoint blockade, suggesting a dynamic interaction between immune components.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 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.

Taking the temperature of dark matter

Researchers at the University of California, Davis used gravitational lensing to study dark matter's properties. They found that dark matter particles could be lighter and more rapidly-moving, which may affect galaxy formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 15, 2020

Overactive brain waves trigger essential tremor

Researchers identify excessive brain activity in the cerebellum as the source of essential tremor, a condition affecting 4% of people over 40. Using neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial direct-current stimulation or drugs to reduce transmission between nerve cells, may provide new treatment options.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2020

Beach-combing Neanderthals dove for shells

A new study suggests that Neanderthals may have spent time at the beach and dove into the Mediterranean Sea to gather clam shells. Researchers found that nearly three-quarters of shell tools had been sanded down, indicating they were collected from the seafloor.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2020

Pathogenic Alzheimer's disease cascade is activated by faulty norepinephrine signaling

Scientists discovered a key mechanism underlying Alzheimer's pathology, revealing how amyloid-beta oligomers hijack norepinephrine signaling to activate GSK3-beta and hyper-phosphorylate tau protein. This rewiring of the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor may explain the failure of previous clinical trials targeting amyloid protein buildup.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 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.

It's 2020: Time to teach teens 'safe' sexting

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire suggest teaching youth 'safe' sexting practices to prevent long-term consequences. They provide 10 specific, actionable messages to share with adolescents to exercise wisdom and discretion when sharing explicit images.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJan 15, 2020