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Science News for July 10, 2020


Optical shaping of polarization anisotropy in a laterally-coupled-quantum-dot dimer

Researchers found emission from laterally coupled quantum dots is strongly polarized along the coupling direction and can be shaped by changing excitation polarization. This control enables optically-controlled anisotropic wavefunctions, opening new avenues for data storage and thermoelectric energy harvesting.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJul 10, 2020

Health disparities published in new volume

The new volume uses a health equity approach to focus on factors associated with cancer disparities research and identifies potential solutions. Studies highlight the impact of lifestyle on breast cancer risk and link mammary gland development to breast cancer disparity.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateJul 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.

BU researchers: 'Gun culture 3.0' is missing link to understand US gun culture

A new study finds differences in gun culture across the US, with three strands identified: recreational use, self-defense, and Second Amendment advocacy. Gun Culture 3.0 is characterized by fear of government threats and increased in states with stricter gun laws.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·DateJul 10, 2020

Single-cell RNA sequencing outlines the immune landscape of severe COVID-19

A new single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of over 59,000 cells from COVID-19 patients and influenza patients reveals distinct immune responses to both diseases. The study suggests targeting the IFN-I signaling pathway as a potential treatment strategy for severe COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Immunology·DateJul 10, 2020

Study pinpoints brain cells that trigger sugar cravings and consumption

A new study has pinpointed the specific brain cells responsible for triggering sugar cravings and overconsumption. The research, led by Matthew Potthoff and Matthew Gillum, reveals that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) acts on glutamatergic neurons to lower sugar intake and sweet taste preference.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 10, 2020

Farmers' climate change conundrum: Low yields or revenue instability

A new study by Cornell University and Washington State University found that climate change will force farmers to choose between lower yields and higher revenue volatility. The research team used a model to explore the impact of drought-tolerant crop varieties, which can improve average yields but also increase revenue fluctuations.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2020

Study finds fatty acid that kills cancer cells

Researchers at Washington State University discovered a fatty acid called dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) that can induce ferroptosis in human cancer cells. This iron-dependent type of cell death has been linked to various diseases and may hold potential as a treatment for cancer.

SourceWashington State University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 10, 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.

More than meets the eye

A new study finds that people with face blindness use different memory processes for face recognition, relying on familiarity rather than recollection. The research suggests that successful facial recognition requires more than a vague familiarity with a face.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCortex·DateJul 10, 2020

Satellite data show severity of drought summers in 2018 and 2019

The GRACE-FO satellites measured significant water mass deficits in Central Europe during the two consecutive summer droughts of 2018 and 2019. The deficits reached 112 Gt in 2018 and 145 Gt in 2019, accounting for 73% and 94% of the average fluctuation in seasonal water storage.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 10, 2020

Construction: How to turn 36 seconds into USD 5.4 billion

A study from Aarhus University links national productivity statistics with actual work done on construction sites, revealing a decline in productivity since the 1970s. By optimizing processes, contractors can generate an estimated $5.4 billion annually in the US and Canada by spending just 36 seconds more per hour on value-adding work.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Construction Engineering and Management·DateJul 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.

Largest study of prostate cancer genomics in Black Americans ids targets for therapies

A new study has identified genes more frequently altered in prostate tumors from men of African ancestry compared to other racial groups. The research found no significant differences in frequencies of mutations in genes important for current prostate cancer therapies, but suggests that precision medicine approaches can be effective if...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 10, 2020

Pandemic inspires framework for enhanced care in nursing homes

A new framework aims to improve care quality in nursing homes during the pandemic and beyond. The framework provides a path for leaders to guide quality assurance and informed decision-making in response to COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Aging & Social Policy·DateJul 10, 2020

UC Riverside postdoc receives NIH Pathway to Independence grant

Rebekah Charney, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Riverside, has received a five-year Pathway to Independence grant from the NIH to study Mowat-Wilson syndrome. Her research aims to understand the mechanisms underlying neural crest cell development and craniofacial pathologies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJul 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.

COVID-19 can be transmitted in the womb, reports pediatric infectious disease journal

A recent study reports evidence of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant, highlighting the importance of protecting pregnant women from COVID-19. The findings suggest that infection can occur during pregnancy, and researchers emphasize the need for further research into mechanisms and risk factors.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateJul 10, 2020

Extraordinary regeneration of neurons in zebrafish

Biologists at the University of Bayreuth have discovered a unique form of rapid regeneration in zebrafish neurons. Mauthner cells, responsible for escape behavior, can regenerate their axons within a week after injury. This finding disproves the widely accepted view that these cells are unable to regenerate.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJul 10, 2020
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.

Age-related features of facial anatomy for increase safety during plastic surgery

The study analyzed 150 patients' cranial CT scans and identified three types of angular arteries, with the artery's depth varying by age. The findings suggest that injecting hyaluronic acid into elderly patients requires special caution to avoid damaging the artery, which can be exposed due to fat volume loss.

SourceCenter of Diagnostics and Telemedicine·JournalAesthetic Surgery Journal·DateJul 10, 2020

Couldn't socially distance? Blame your working memory

A UC Riverside-led study highlights the importance of working memory capacity in social distancing compliance. Individuals with higher working memory capacity are more likely to follow recommended guidelines, even after controlling for psychological and socioeconomic factors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 10, 2020

Montana State research on plant chemistry published in Global Change Biology

A Montana State University professor's research on plant chemistry published in Global Change Biology reveals increased greening across the Northern Great Plains and Northern Rockies. The study found decreased levels of nitrogen and increased levels of carbon in recent plant samples, as well as improved water use efficiency.

SourceMontana State University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 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.

Building surge ICU capacity during COVID-19

The MUSC team, led by Leslie Lenert and Dee Ford, developed a prototype called Portable Remote Operational Wireless Enabled Surge Specialist ICU (Prowess-ICU) to address COVID-19 surge capacity. The Prowess-ICU model integrates technology-based and patient-centered care solutions within existing regional health care networks.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateJul 10, 2020

NASA tracks tropical storm fay's development and strongest side

NASA tracked Tropical Storm Fay's development using satellite data, creating an animation of the storm's progression. The strongest storms were located in the northeastern quadrant, with temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating powerful thunderstorms and potential heavy rainfall.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2020

Arctic Ocean changes driven by sub-Arctic seas

Research reveals complex changes in the Arctic Ocean driven by anomalous influxes of oceanic water from lower-latitude oceans. This process, known as borealization, affects physical, chemical, and biological communities in distinct ways.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJul 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.

Liquid metal synthesis for better piezoelectrics: Atomically-thin tin-monosulfide

A new study applies liquid-metal synthesis to create atomically-thin tin-monosulfide with excellent electronic and piezoelectric properties, enabling flexible nanogenerators for wearable electronics and biosensors. The resulting material displays high durability and flexibility, making it suitable for commercial implementation.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2020

Black phosphorus-based van der Waals heterostructures for mid-infrared light-emission applications

Researchers propose a novel vdW heterostructure for MIR light-emission applications using BP and TMDC materials. The BP-WSe2 heterostructure shows a type-I band alignment, enhancing MIR photoluminescence by ~200%. In contrast, the BP-MoS2 heterostructure forms a type-II band alignment, enabling efficient MIR electroluminescence.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJul 10, 2020

Robust high-performance data storage through magnetic anisotropy

A team of scientists has found that iron-platinum thin films exhibit minimal expansion when heated, making them suitable for HAMR memories. The discovery was made using ultrashort X-ray pulses to measure the crystal lattice's response to laser excitation.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

USDA grant to support Cornell indoor ag training programs

The $496,000 USDA grant will help design new CEA training programs at Cornell University to address the industry's growing need for a skilled workforce. Participants will gain expertise in CEA infrastructure and advanced knowledge in environmental monitoring and marketing skills.

SourceCornell University·DateJul 10, 2020

How Venus flytraps snap

A new study reveals that a single slow touch on the Venus flytrap's trigger hair can also trigger trap closure, allowing it to catch slow-moving larvae and snails. The researchers used highly sensitive sensors and mathematical models to determine the forces needed to trigger the mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 10, 2020

Mom and baby share 'good bacteria' through breast milk

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Manitoba found that certain bacteria in breast milk co-occur with their infants' stool. Breastfeeding directly at the breast was strongly associated with a baby's overall gut microbiota composition.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 10, 2020

Liquid crystals create easy-to-read, color-changing sensors

Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a way to stretch and strain liquid crystals to generate different colors, leading to a wide range of optical effects. This technology has potential applications in temperature and strain sensors, enabling remote measurement without contact.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 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.

New study warns of misinformation about opt-out organ donation

A new study warns of the power of social influence in shaping organ donation decisions, revealing the 'lone wolf' effect where individuals opting out trigger a cascade of similar behavior. The researchers found that people are more likely to opt out if they perceive others doing so.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 10, 2020

Study shows that aerosol box used to protect healthcare workers during COVID

A new study reveals that aerosol boxes designed to protect healthcare workers during COVID-19 may not be effective and could even increase exposure to airborne particles. The research found that the boxes increased airborne particle contamination by a factor of 5 times or more, posing a significant risk to frontline health workers.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateJul 10, 2020

Scientists may have found one path to a longer life

Researchers found that the drug mifepristone blocks inflammation and reduces health decline in female fruit flies after mating, leading to longer lifespans. This effect is similar to what happens in women who take the drug, suggesting it may also extend human lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateJul 10, 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.

Orbital engineering of quantum confinement in high-Al-content AlGaN quantum well

Researchers propose orbital engineering to overcome efficiency limitations in high-Al-content AlGaN quantum wells. By inclining the quantum well plane, they modify energy variations induced by orbital coupling, enhancing quantum confinement and radiative transition rates.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJul 10, 2020

Like humans, beluga whales form social networks beyond family ties

A study of beluga whale social behavior reveals that they form complex societies with multiple group types and dynamic membership. Like humans, belugas exhibit a wide range of grouping patterns and have long-term affiliations with unrelated individuals, indicating the importance of kinship in their social structure.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 10, 2020

Fast-spreading mutation helps common flu subtype escape immune response

A fast-spreading mutation in the H3N2 flu subtype has effectively blocked antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study suggests that flu vaccines focusing on one protein may not be enough to protect against evolving viruses.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 10, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Nano-radiomics unveils treatment effect on tumor microenvironment

Researchers developed a noninvasive method to assess the effect of cellular immunotherapies on the tumor microenvironment, which inhibits the immune response and evades cancer treatments. Nano-radiomics combines imaging technology with radiomics to analyze changes in the TME that conventional methods cannot detect.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJul 10, 2020

Alaskan volcano linked to mysterious period with extreme climate in ancient Rome

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have found evidence suggesting that a megaeruption of an Alaskan volcano, Okmok, may be responsible for widespread climate change in ancient Rome and Egypt. The eruption is believed to have occurred around 43 BCE, causing temperatures to drop by as much as seven degrees Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 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.

T-ray camera speed boosted a hundred times over

A research team at the University of Warwick has developed a single-pixel terahertz imaging technology that reaches 100 times faster acquisition than the previous state-of-the-art. This breakthrough enables potential use in biomedical and industrial applications, including non-invasive security and medical screening.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2020

Fat cell hormone boosts potential of stem cell therapy

Researchers from Osaka University found that adiponectin, a fat cell hormone, improves the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based treatment for heart failure. The study showed that increasing adiponectin levels strengthens cardiac function following MSC therapy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateJul 10, 2020

Sobering reminder about liver disease

Australian experts warn of a surge in chronic liver disease due to alcohol misuse and obesity-related liver disease. The number of cases has increased three-fold over the past 10-15 years, with over 6 million Australians affected.

SourceFlinders University·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateJul 10, 2020

Study: Medicaid expansion meant better health for the most vulnerable low-income adults

A new study found that Michigan's Medicaid expansion program significantly improved health outcomes for the most vulnerable residents, including those with extremely low incomes and chronic health conditions. The program also saw improvements in health among participants of all ages, backgrounds, and geographic regions.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 10, 2020
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.

New biomarker for dementia diagnosis

Researchers have identified a new biomarker, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), associated with cognitive decline in old age. The study found that ADMA levels were linked to decline in cognitive performance assessments after four years.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateJul 10, 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.

NASA infrared data shows Cristina strengthening

Tropical Storm Cristina has become better organized with a curved band around the center and ragged eye visible in satellite images. Cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall, and maximum sustained winds near 70 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2020