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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 34 of 47

Science education community should withdraw from international tests

Researchers argue that international tests like PISA have forced schools to adopt narrow curricula and pedagogies, leading to a lack of scientific literacy. The study calls for a shift towards more inclusive and engaging science education, with a focus on the environment and health.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Socio-economic, environmental impacts of COVID-19 quantified

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant economic impact, with global consumption losses exceeding $3.8 trillion and 147 million full-time equivalent job losses. The travel sector was most directly affected, with cascading multiplier effects across the entire world economy.

Water-saving alternative forage crops for Texas livestock

Researchers found that sorghum performed better under drought conditions, producing more biomass with less water. Mixed with supplements, sorghum can achieve desirable feed quality and increase profitability without sacrificing nutrition.

Researchers call for worldwide biosurveillance network to protect from diseases

Researchers recommend a decentralized disease surveillance system to monitor pathogens in wildlife and humans, expanding beyond human disease outbreaks to encompass broader understanding of pathogens. The network aims to provide early warnings of spillover potential and assist in containment and development of therapeutic treatments.

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.

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.

Prize winner uncovers microbes' role in tissue repair

Scientists discovered that Staphylococcus epidermidis interacts with the immune system to promote wound healing and prevent inflammation. The study's findings may lead to therapies for conditions like atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases, affecting millions worldwide.

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.

Lightning data have more use than previously thought

A recent study from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics found that lightning activity and charge structure varied before and after a severe hailfall. The research suggests that lightning data can serve as an indicator for hazardous weather phenomena and improve short-term forecasting.

Cell-cell signaling promotes invariability in sea squirt embryogenesis

Researchers discovered precise cell-to-cell contact areas required for invariant embryonic cell lineages, suggesting a range of cell signaling events limits reproducibility during development. Ascidian embryos maintain highly regimented cell-fate from early developmental stages to later stages, even between distantly related species.

An $18 million boost to materials science research at UC San Diego

The UC San Diego lab funded by the grant will focus on developing new materials with improved properties for medical diagnostic tests, therapeutics, and decontamination. The center will also provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to work together and chart new avenues for innovation in materials science.

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.

Unraveling the mystery of wheat herbicide tolerance

Researchers used alien substitution lines to pinpoint chromosomal region 5A as key player in wheat's natural tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides. They found minimal injury in some plant lines due to their ability to naturally detoxify the chemical, while others were highly sensitive to high rates of the herbicide.

Liquid water is more than just H2O molecules

Researchers at Skoltech found a significantly higher concentration of short-lived ions (H3O+ and OH-) in pure liquid water than previously thought. This discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the intricate structure of water, including its role in redox processes, catalytic reactions, and electrochemical systems.

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.

Pasteurizing breast milk inactivates SARS-CoV-2

New research finds that pasteurizing breast milk inactivates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), making it safe for use. The Holder method, a common technique used by over 650 human breast milk banks worldwide, is effective at neutralizing viruses in human milk.

Sodium found to regulate the biological clock of mice

A study by McGill researchers found that sodium concentrations can influence circadian rhythms in mice, activating neurons associated with the master clock. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating negative health effects of long distance travel or shift work.

Lead fallout from Notre Dame fire was likely overlooked

A new study estimates that nearly a ton of lead dust settled within a kilometer of the Notre Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire. The study found significantly higher lead levels in areas downwind of the fire, exceeding France's limit of 300 milligrams per kilogram of soil.

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.

Scientists reveal comprehensive proteomic map of human lung adenocarcinoma

A comprehensive proteomic analysis of 103 Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma revealed molecular characteristics associated with clinical outcomes and potential prognostic biomarkers. The study identified 27 potential plasma biomarkers and several drug targets for LUAD, providing new insights into the disease.

Feeling with the heart

Researchers found that brain activity and perception of sensory stimuli change with the cardiac cycle, suppressing heartbeat perception but affecting other stimuli perception. The study may provide insight into anxiety conditions associated with heart rate changes.

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.

Breakthrough with cancer vaccine

The new vaccine targets key tumour cells, maximising effectiveness while minimising side effects. It can be produced as an 'off the shelf' clinical grade formulation, addressing financial and logistical issues.

Evolution makes the world less ragged

A team of international researchers found that evolution tends to dampen or smooth out variations in ecological patterns across landscapes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed over 500 studies and identified 14 mechanisms affecting the direction of evolution's impact.

A memory game could help us understand brain injury

A new memory game helps researchers understand how brain regions process sensory information and remember skills after traumatic brain injury. The game reveals that certain areas of the brain, such as S1 and S2, have both localized and distributed processing roles.

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.

Arctic Ocean 'regime shift'

Phytoplankton blooms have drastically altered the Arctic's ability to transform atmospheric carbon into living matter, with net primary production increasing by 57% between 1998 and 2018. The surge in phytoplankton biomass may represent a significant 'regime shift' for the Arctic ecosystem, with implications for food supply and carbon ...

Gall fly outmaneuvers host plant in game of "Spy vs. Spy"

Researchers discovered that goldenrod plants respond to gall fly sex pheromones by priming their chemical defenses, reducing gall formation, but varying effects depending on male fly age. Younger males result in fewer galls, while older males yield more galls.

Aquaculture's role in nutrition in the COVID-19 era

The article discusses four possible scenarios for the future of aquaculture, including a growth-first nationalistic approach, sustainable localized production, and a globally competitive market. These scenarios aim to maximize aquaculture's nutrition benefits while ensuring environmental sustainability.

How fear transforms into anxiety

A University of New Mexico research team has identified brain-wide neural correlates of the transition from fear to anxiety, shedding new light on the brain's response to fearful events and why some people don't easily recover. The study found that vulnerability to anxiety correlates with elevated activity in specific regions of the br...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Native bees also facing novel pandemic

A growing evidence suggests a fungal pathogen known as Nosema is infecting native bees worldwide, with little known about its impact on these species. This infection threatens pollination and ecosystems, as native bees contribute to agricultural crop pollination and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

Magnetic memory states go exponential

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a structure that can support exponentially many discrete magnetic states, opening the door to ultra-high-density magnetic memory and novel computing applications.

Otago researchers find link between rape and breathing problems

Researchers have found that a history of rape is associated with dysfunctional breathing and late-onset asthma diagnosis, particularly in women. Nearly 20% of women reported being raped, and those who experienced trauma were more likely to develop respiratory problems at 38 years old.

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.

Oil spill clean- up gets doggone hairy

Researchers found that natural-origin sorbent materials, including peat moss, dog fur, and human hair products, can be effective in cleaning up oil spills on land. Sustainable options like dog fur and human hair show promise as cheaper and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic fabrics.

Shining light into the dark

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze microscopic samples without using external light, reducing interference and damage to living specimens. The 'glow in the dark' approach uses chemical stimuli to activate chemicals, enabling precise control over localized oxidative hotspots.

Daytime aardvark sightings are a sign of troubled times

Research reveals that aardvarks feeding in daylight during droughts may be starving due to lack of food. A long-term study showed that drought caused a shift from nighttime to daytime activity, which was not enough to save the aardvarks from starvation.

Teva presents latest data on AJOVY® ▼ (fremanezumab) at EHF Congress

AJOVY (fremanezumab) demonstrates clinically significant reductions in headache and migraine-related disability in the majority of patients studied. The treatment achieves downward shifts in disability severity and improves HIT-6 and MIDAS scores, particularly for patients with difficult-to-treat migraine.

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.

Cherned up to the maximum

Researchers have observed that palladium gallium (PdGa) reaches the maximum allowed Chern number of four, a fundamental aspect yet to be settled in topological physics. The team also demonstrated control over the sign of the Chern number by manipulating the crystal's handedness during growth.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New study supports remdesivir as COVID-19 treatment

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center report that remdesivir potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cell cultures and improved lung function in mice. The study provides the first rigorous demonstration of potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

Flaring, massively

Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.