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Science News for July 22, 2020


New research finds graphene can act as surfactant

New research finds that graphene flakes can attract water at their edges but repel it on their surface, making them a new generation of surfactant. This property allows graphene to stabilise oil and water mixtures, opening up possibilities for environmentally friendly extraction of minerals and crude oil.

SourceCranfield University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 22, 2020

AJTMH July updates

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene highlights the importance of understanding COVID-19's origins to prevent future pandemics. The journal emphasizes the need for increased funding for medical research and public health measures, warning that politics can undermine these efforts.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJul 22, 2020

Climate predictions several years into the future?

A study by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel predicts North Atlantic surface temperature variations several years into the future using wind field analysis. The researchers suggest a mechanism where winds cause changes in ocean circulation, resulting in anomalous heat accumulation and warming of the eastern North Atlantic.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 22, 2020

Genomic signature explains FDG-avidity of PSMA-suppressed prostate tumors

A genomic signature associates with differential expression of glucose transporters and hexokinase proteins in prostate cancers with low PSMA expression. This allows for improved uptake of 18F-FDG compared to PSMA-targeted radioligands, making it an attractive imaging tool for neuroendocrine prostate cancer patients.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 22, 2020

Atomic force microscopy reveals nanoscale dental erosion from beverages

KAIST researchers used AFM to analyze the effects of acidic and sugary drinks on human tooth enamel at the nanoscale level. The study found significant increases in surface roughness and decreases in elastic modulus with immersion time, highlighting the need for thorough studies on early-stage enamel erosion.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateJul 22, 2020

UAlberta researchers make real-time tumor tracking in radiation therapy 5 times faster

The study's lead researcher found that using a graphics processing unit (GPU) increased the speed of real-time tumor tracking by five times, improving accuracy over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to safer and possibly fully automated radiation therapy in the future.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine·DateJul 22, 2020

No honor among cyber thieves

A study examining online user activity on two carding forums reveals the vast majority of users aren't buyers or sellers but rather seek free tutorials, malware source codes, and hacking guides. Actual buyers and sellers comprise a fraction, primarily using stolen identity info for unauthorized purchases.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSocial Science Computer Review·DateJul 22, 2020

Chocolate is good for the heart

A combined analysis of six studies found that consuming chocolate more than once a week was associated with an 8% decreased risk of coronary artery disease. The researchers attributed the potential benefit to flavonoids and other heart-healthy nutrients in chocolate.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 22, 2020

Digitizing chemistry with a smart stir bar

Researchers created an inexpensive smart stir bar that can automatically measure and transmit data on a solution's properties to a smartphone or computer. This device uses open-source software and low-cost components to detect parameters such as color, electrical conductivity, and viscosity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateJul 22, 2020

Invention offers new option for monitoring heart health

Researchers at Purdue University developed self-powered wearable devices that can monitor cardiovascular health using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and transform mechanical energy into power. These devices have the potential to be non-invasive, personalized, and cost-effective for detecting common heart diseases.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 22, 2020

Tracking misinformation campaigns in real-time is possible, study shows

A team of researchers developed a technique to identify malicious internet accounts and track online foreign misinformation campaigns in real time. They found that their model was effective in identifying posts and accounts that were part of a foreign influence campaign, including those by accounts that had never been used before.

Gender differences in prosecution of police assault in Sweden

A study published in PLOS ONE found that female prosecutors in Sweden are 16 percentage points more likely to investigate police assault claims than their male counterparts. This difference was observed despite the prosecutors being randomly assigned to cases and having similar characteristics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 22, 2020

Climate change is impacting the spread of invasive animal species

Climate change is fueling the rapid expansion of invasive species like the Asian shore crab into previously unknown habitats. This study finds that climate warming can predict the speed and extent of these invasions by examining the early developmental stages of larvae, which are often more vulnerable to environmental fluctuations.

Photonic crystal light converter

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a simple device to convert circularly polarized visible laser light into circularly polarized vacuum ultraviolet light, twisted in the opposite direction. This new method can be useful for researchers in medicine, life sciences, molecular chemistry and solid state physics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2020

2,000 years of storms in the Caribbean

A 2,000-year sedimentary archive from the Blue Hole in Belize provides insights into climate change and its impact on storms in the Caribbean. The study shows that hurricane activity has increased over the past 1,885 years, with a significant shift in frequency and intensity starting around AD 900.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2020

Plastics found in sea-bed sharks

Researchers discovered 67% of examined sharks contained microplastics and man-made fibers, emphasizing the widespread nature of plastic pollution. The study highlights potential sources of microplastic contamination, including fishing lines and textile waste.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2020