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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 1 of 47

NASA sun data helps new model predict big solar flares

Scientists developed a new model using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory data, predicting seven of the Sun's biggest flares from the last solar cycle. The model identified key characteristics in active regions, including magnetic reconnection and unstable arches, to predict massive flares.

NIH delivering new COVID-19 testing technologies to meet US demand

The National Institutes of Health has awarded contracts to seven biomedical diagnostic companies to develop new lab-based and point-of-care tests for COVID-19. These tests will significantly increase the number, type, and availability of tests, meeting national demand estimated to be millions more tests per day.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

'Little brain' or cerebellum not so little after all

New research using ultra-high-field MRI reveals the cerebellum has a surface area equal to 80% of the cerebral cortex's surface area, challenging the long-held idea that it is smaller. This expansion is linked to human behavior and cognition evolution, enabling the processing of complex concepts like language and abstract reasoning.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Grant will help new e-learning program enhance cancer care

An innovative e-learning programme will educate and empower nurses to improve cancer care in non-specialist settings. The Cancer Nursing Careers programme, funded by a grant from Health Education England, is available free of charge to nurses across the UK.

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.

Insights on the gut microbiome could shape more powerful, precise treatment

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified key factors influencing the success of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treating C. difficile infection. They developed an algorithm to design personalized probiotic cocktails, which contain species effective inhibitors of C. difficile and can be administered to pat...

New guidelines say breastfeeding is safe after anaesthesia

Breastfeeding is now considered safe after anaesthesia, according to new guidelines published by the Association of Anaesthetists in the journal Anaesthesia. The guidelines state that breast milk remains safe even if mother has had anaesthetic or painkiller drugs.

When Dirac meets frustrated magnetism

The discovery of KV3Sb5, a material hosting Dirac physics and metallic frustrated magnetism, has led to the observation of one of the largest anomalous Hall effects (AHEs) ever seen. This unique combination enables scientists to study the interaction between these exotic properties.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How to improve climate modeling and prediction

Climate models struggle with reducing uncertainty in global temperature predictions and predicting tipping points, which pose a major threat to modern societies. A new review outlines a more effective approach to perform better climate simulations and extract more information from models.

Unusual electron sharing found in cool crystal

Researchers at Nagoya University found a highly unusual atomic configuration in a tungsten-based material, where three atoms share only two electrons to form a tritungsten molecule. This discovery suggests the potential for compounds with new and interesting electronic properties.

Study reveals COVID-19 transmission rate on trains

A study by the University of Southampton found that COVID-19 transmission rates are higher for passengers sitting near an infected person, with close contact increasing the risk. The research suggests a safe social distance of over 1 meter is required to prevent transmission after two hours of contact.

To distinguish contexts, animals think probabilistically, study suggests

Researchers propose a new understanding of how animals decide when to create new mental maps in response to changing environments. By mathematically modeling the process as probabilistic reasoning, scientists can better interpret experiments that rely on measuring remapping for learning and memory research.

NASA examines water vapor and structure in Hurricane Isaias

NASA analyzed data from its Aqua satellite, revealing high concentrations of water vapor and cold cloud top temperatures that indicate the storm's capability to produce heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts significant rainfall in the Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and the Bahamas.

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.

HudsonAlpha scientists help identify important parts of the human genome

Researchers at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology have contributed to the ENCODE Project, a decade-long effort to understand the human genome. By analyzing millions of DNA switches, they identified novel associations between transcription factors, bringing researchers closer to understanding how the human genome functions.

The need for progressive national narratives

Rogers M. Smith advocates for a new narrative of American identity that champions greater inclusiveness, respect, and egalitarianism. This approach can help build progressive coalitions and defeat narrower nationalist visions, such as Trump's America First agenda.

A rebranding of 'freedom'?

According to recent Gallup polls, socialism is more popular than capitalism among Democrats and young people. A new paper proposes reclaiming freedom as a value by confronting systemic unfreedom in the neoliberal economy. The authors believe that freedom can be realized through disciplined commitment and collective struggle.

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.

Pandemic leads to higher depression, anxiety and fear, studies show

Research by University of Arkansas sociologists found increased levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies during the early months of COVID-19's spread. Fear was identified as a key predictor of mental health outcomes, with higher concentrations of confirmed cases and death rates associated with increased individual fear.

Insight on novel genetic approaches to metabolic liver diseases

A Wayne State University team has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the causal relationships between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type-2 diabetes, and obesity. They discovered two subtypes of NAFLD: one caused by genetic factors and another driven by metabolic syndrome.

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.

Short wind turns with strong cooling effect

Researchers from GEOMAR found that short wind turns with strong cooling effect can explain the lower sea surface temperatures in tropical North Atlantic during summer months. Inertial waves, caused by brief variations in near-surface winds, trigger mixing between warm and cold waters.

Quantum machines learn "quantum data"

Researchers at Skoltech developed a quantum enhanced machine learning approach that uses quantum states as data, overcoming the 'data-readin problem'. This allows for faster calculations and better performance than classical machines in certain applications.

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.

Google searches during pandemic hint at future increase in suicide

Researchers found a sharp increase in Google searches for financial distress and disaster relief during the early months of the pandemic, while searches for related to suicide decreased. The study suggests that financial stress may predict a future increase in deaths from suicide.

Texas cave sediment upends meteorite explanation for global cooling

Researchers discovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Central Texas that caused global cooling 13,000 years ago. The study indicates that the Younger Dryas cooling event was not caused by an extraterrestrial impact but rather a combination of Earth-based processes.

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.

Inbreeding detrimental for survival

Researchers studied 3100 house sparrows from eight islands in northern Norway to examine the effects of inbreeding. The study found that inbred birds had shorter lives and reproduced poorly, with less genetic variation across their genomes.

New printing process advances 3D capabilities

A new injection printing process developed by UMass Lowell researcher David Kazmer increases production rates and enhances part strength. The innovation combines 3D printing and injection molding, producing fully dense parts with few cracks or voids.

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.

Satellite survey shows California's sinking coastal hotspots

A recent satellite survey tracked California's entire coast for over a decade, revealing local hotspots of subsidence in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Cruz. The study found that these areas will face increased flooding risk as sea levels rise, with rates of subsidence reaching up to 8.7 mm/year.

A new synthesis method for three-dimensional nanocarbons

Scientists developed a new method to synthesize three-dimensional nanocarbons using palladium catalyst, enabling precise and practical creation of superior material properties. The octagonal structure is expected to lead to discovery and elucidation of novel properties and development of next-generation functional materials.

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.

ETRI develops eco-friendly color thin-film solar cells

ETRI successfully developed eco-friendly color CIGS thin-film solar cells with high conversion efficiency and low material costs. The innovative technology features a Zn-based buffer layer, eliminating toxic cadmium, and enables flexible substrate applications.

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.

A new chemical analysis upends conventional explanation for global cooling

Researchers found evidence suggesting a major volcanic eruption on the European continent drove the cooling event known as the Younger Dryas, which occurred around 13,000 years ago. The study used isotope analysis to rule out an extraterrestrial impact and provides new insights into the Earth's climate system.

Cooling of Earth caused by eruptions, not meteors

A study published in Science Advances found that volcanic eruptions, rather than meteor impacts, were responsible for the rapid cooling of the Earth around 13,000 years ago. The research team analyzed sediment layers in Hall's Cave, a central Texas cave with a record extending over 20,000 years.

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.

Reducing corticosteroid use in rheumatoid arthritis

The SEMIRA trial found that continuous glucocorticoid regimens controlled disease activity better than discontinuation, but the latter was also effective in preventing long-term side effects. Treatment success rates were 77% for continued prednisone and 65% for tapering regimen.