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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 19 of 47

Insight into toddlers' awareness of their own uncertainty

A new study from the University of California, Davis, shows that toddlers may experience and deal with uncertainty in decision making like older children and adults. Toddlers gather information before making decisions, taking extra time on difficult trials, and exhibiting behaviors that suggest they can respond to uncertain situations.

Better wastewater treatment? It's a wrap

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new strategy, 'wrap, trap and zap,' to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater treatment plants. The graphene-wrapped nanospheres kill bacteria by producing reactive oxygen species, degrading antibiotic-resistant genes and minimizing their release into the environment.

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.

Portable DNA device can detect tree pests in under two hours

A new portable DNA detection method can identify tree pests and pathogens like the Asian gypsy moth and sudden oak death pathogen in under two hours. The device uses PCR testing to analyze tiny amounts of DNA and has been tested on multiple destructive invasive species.

Geophysics: A first for a unique instrument

A team of geophysicists used the ROMY ring laser to measure the Earth's rotational velocity and axis orientation, achieving the most precise ground-based measurements yet. The instrument detected minute alterations in the Earth's rotation caused by ocean currents, ice mass shifts, and seismic events.

Marine microorganisms: How to survive below the seafloor

Researchers found that certain species of foraminifera can survive and thrive in anoxic environments with high levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide. The organisms exploit soluble organic material as a source of carbon and energy, playing a crucial role in anaerobic nutrient cycles.

Traditional PTSD therapy doesn't trigger drug relapse

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have demonstrated that behavior therapy exposing people to memories of their trauma does not cause relapses of opioid or other drug use. Following the first therapy session, PTSD severity and emotional problems decrease significantly.

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.

Older adults who can really smell the roses may face lower likelihood of dementia

A UCSF study found that older adults with retained senses of hearing, vision, and touch have half the risk of developing dementia compared to those with marked sensory decline. The study tracked over 1,800 participants in their seventies for up to 10 years, revealing a stronger association between olfaction and lower dementia risk.

Scientists discover volcanoes on Venus are still active

Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered 37 recently active volcanic structures on Venus, suggesting the planet's interior is still churning. The study provides evidence that Venus is no longer a dormant planet and may hold clues to its geological development.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Media tip sheet: Going high-tech in ecology

Researchers use cameras, drones, geolocators, and sensors to track wildlife and greenhouse gas emissions. Computing advances help analyze terabytes of data, enabling ecologists to scale up ecological research and address environmental challenges.

Exhaled biomarkers can reveal lung disease

Researchers developed a system to monitor pneumonia and genetic diseases by analyzing breath exhaled by patients, revealing a new potential diagnostic tool. The technology uses specialized nanoparticles that release gases when proteases in the body cleave them, allowing for rapid detection of lung health.

Shells and grapefruits inspire first manufactured non-cuttable material

Researchers develop Proteus, a lightweight material that turns back the force of cutting tools upon itself, making it resistant to angle grinders, drills, and high-pressure water jets. The unique structure of ceramic spheres encased in cellular aluminium creates an interlocking, vibrational connection that repulses any attack.

Oxygen breathes new life into solar cell research

Researchers have successfully developed a method to 'upconvert' low energy light into visible light using oxygen, enabling it to be captured by solar cells. This breakthrough has the potential to increase the efficiency of solar cells and expand their sensitivity range.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Tidal variation of total suspended solids over the Yangtze bank

Researchers used GOCI to study high-resolution spatial distribution and tidal variation of suspended sediment over the Yangtze Bank, revealing a tongue-shaped structure and importance of topography in tidal-induced mixing. The study enhances understanding of short-term changes to TSS in Yellow and East China Seas.

NASA analyzes new eastern Pacific Ocean Tropical Depression 7E

Tropical Depression 7E formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and is expected to track over cool waters, weakening it. NASA's Terra satellite detected strong storms with cold cloud top temperatures, indicating potential for heavy rainfall.

Biggest risk factors identified to try and prevent Alzheimer's disease

Research identified 21 evidence-based suggestions for preventing Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on vascular risk factors and lifestyle modifications. Targeting factors such as cognitive activity, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and stress may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Immunotherapy safe for patients with COVID-19, cancer

Preliminary data suggests that immunotherapy won't worsen complications in patients with both conditions. Researchers found that an anti-diabetic drug metformin can reduce protein production by immune cells, offering a potential treatment option for COVID-19 complications.

Powerful human-like hands create safer human-robotics interactions

A team of Michigan State University engineers has designed a soft-hard hybrid flexible gripper that can generate larger grasping forces than traditional pure soft hands. The new research, published in Soft Robotics, aims to create safer human-robotics interactions for tasks such as fruit picking and medical care.

High school athletes require longer recovery following concussions

A recent study published in Orthopedics found that high school athletes require at least one month of recovery following a concussion. The study analyzed data from 357 adolescents who sustained one or more concussions and found that those with multiple concussions required longer recovery times, up to 30 days.

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.

Assaying latent HIV proviruses

A new assay detects intact HIV latent proviruses at higher frequencies than previous methods, revealing a significant amount of intact virus in infected individuals; this finding is crucial for developing an HIV cure. The study provides a benchmark for assessing persistent proviral DNA and its composition.

UCI receives record $529 million in research funding for fiscal 2019-20

UCI researchers received the most funding in campus history, with a 20% increase over last year, thanks to strong support from federal and state agencies, leading foundations, and companies. This milestone accelerates UCI's ascent as a world-class research university, with notable boosts in biomedical research and data privacy.

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.

SLAC's upgraded X-ray laser facility produces first light

The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has successfully produced its first X-ray beam using the upgraded LCLS-II facility, demonstrating significant advancements in X-ray technology. The new undulators offer dramatic new capabilities, including precise control of X-ray beams and unprecedented repetition rates.

A mechanical way to stimulate neurons

Scientists have created magnetic nanodiscs that can detect and respond to mechanical forces, offering a new method for studying neural responses and potentially leading to new therapeutic treatments. The discovery could provide a more precise and non-invasive alternative to existing neurostimulation techniques.

Conflicting theories about peace

A study of 500 Jewish-Israelis and 500 Palestinians reveals differing lay theories about peace, influencing conflict resolution. Peace is associated with war termination for both groups, but with different underlying values.

How smart, ultrathin nanosheets go fishing for proteins

Researchers developed ultrathin 'smart nanosheets' that can capture protein complexes from mixtures, enabling faster and more accurate analysis with electron microscopy. This innovation can lead to better understanding of diseases and treatment with drugs.

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.

New research reveals antifungal symbiotic peptide in legume

A team of scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has identified a sub-class of peptides in legumes that inhibit the growth of gray mold fungus. The peptides, known as NCR044, work by concentrating in the nucleolus and targeting fungal spores and germlings.

3D hand-sensing wristband signals future of wearable tech

Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have developed a wrist-mounted device called FingerTrak that continuously tracks the entire human hand in 3D using thermal cameras. The technology has potential applications in sign language translation, virtual reality, mobile health, and human-robot interac...

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

If it's big enough and leafy enough the birds will come

A new study from Cornell University highlights the importance of urban green space and tree canopy for supporting diverse bird populations. The research found that increasing green space by 50% results in an 11.5% increase in annual species diversity.

Ultracold mystery: Solved

Scientists cooled potassium-rubidium molecules to near absolute zero, observing an intermediate complex that lived for 360 nanoseconds. The team found that laser light was forcing the molecules off their reaction path, leading to loss.

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.

The real reason behind goosebumps

Researchers found that the sympathetic nerve connects to hair follicle stem cells, bridging the gap between nervous system control and hair regeneration. The muscle facilitates this connection, allowing the nerve to directly regulate stem cell behavior and promote new hair growth in response to temperature changes.

Researchers identify possible drug target for prostate cancer

BRD4 protein regulates key proteins contributing to prostate cancer progression, suggesting new therapeutic target. Current treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer are limited and focus on suppressing tumor cells' reliance on androgen receptor signaling.

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.

Cell death in porpoises caused by environmental pollutants

Researchers isolated fibroblast cells from a stranded finless porpoise to predict the threat of environmental pollutants to its population. The study found that pollutants like PCBs and DDTs induce cell death and can cause cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and reduced cell viability.

Climate scientists increasingly ignore ecological role of indigenous peoples

A Penn State researcher challenges the prevailing view that indigenous peoples' fires had a minor ecological impact. Instead, Abrams argues that indigenous peoples played a significant role in managing forests through frequent, low-intensity fires. This management approach allowed for extensive agriculture and supported wildlife habitats.

Simple test helps to predict and prevent falls

Scientists have developed a simple clinical test, the 'enhanced paper grip test,' to assess lower limb strength and predict falls. The test shows reliability and validity in detecting muscle weakness in patients with diabetes.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Music on the brain

Researchers found that trained musicians showed greater powers of rhythmic prediction compared to nonmusicians, with subtle differences between those trained in Japanese or Western classical music. The study also reveals that different cultural upbringings can have a tangible effect on brain development.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that older patients and those with coexisting diseases were more likely to die from COVID-19. The 30-day cumulative mortality rate was 24.4% among hospitalized patients, with shortness of breath being the most prevalent symptom among those who died.