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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 4 of 47

Are your gums saying something about your dementia risk?

A study of 8,275 participants found that those with severe gum disease had twice the risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. People with minimal tooth loss and mild gum disease were no more likely to develop thinking problems than those with no dental issues.

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.

Cosmic tango between the very small and the very large

A new study using loop quantum cosmology accounts for two major mysteries of the universe's largest scales. The research resolves two anomalies that have puzzled scientists for years, providing a closer look at the early universe and its primordial features.

Peering into the secrets of phages to see how they kill bacterial superbugs

A study published in Nature Communications reveals the intricate choreography of phage assembly and its impact on bacterial infections. The research provides new insights into the mechanism of action of phages, which could lead to more precise and effective treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bees' buzz is more powerful for pollination, than for defence or flight

Researchers found that flower buzzing produced forces of over 50G, five times that experienced by fighter jet pilots, and suggests bees use specific types of buzzing vibrations for certain tasks. This discovery provides important insight into the pollination process and how flowers coevolved with bees.

Fracture risk associated with bisphosphonate drug holidays

Patients who had previously suffered a vertebral fracture experienced an increased risk of major osteoporotic fractures after longer bisphosphonate drug holidays. The study suggests that these breaks may lead to a partial loss of protective effects against fractures, highlighting the need for individualized management decisions.

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.

Mood homeostasis before, during COVID-19 lockdown

Researchers investigated mood homeostasis before and during COVID-19 lockdown among Dutch students, finding that lockdowns hindered their ability to stabilize their moods with mood-modifying activities. The study aimed to understand how individuals adapted to the lockdowns and what factors influenced their mental well-being.

Should you really be behind the wheel after concussion?

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that drivers who have had a concussion take longer to regain complex reaction times, crucial for driving situations. The research suggests that traditional reaction time tests may not be the best measure of driving responsiveness and readiness.

New insights into wound healing

A team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis has determined for the first time how the process of wound healing begins, shedding light on fibrosis and cancer metastasis. They discovered a recursive process between fibroblasts and their environment, which can be controlled by manipulating cellular responses to drugs.

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.

COVID-19 research: Anti-viral strategy with double effect

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have identified a promising anti-viral strategy against COVID-19 by targeting the papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2. Inhibiting PLpro can suppress viral production and strengthen innate immune response, offering a potential therapeutic approach to combat the virus.

Bringing RNA into genomics

Researchers have identified many genome locations that code for RNA molecules influencing gene expression, using techniques like eCLIP and RNA Bind-N-Seq. The study reveals the functions of these RNA sequences and their interactions with RNA-binding proteins.

Post-pandemic brave new world of agriculture

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of agricultural technologies to ensure food supply security. Roboticized farms, vertical farming, and gene-edited foods are being used to reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens among workers and minimize reliance on human labor.

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.

Engineering a carbon-negative power plant

A team led by Pitt professor Katherine Hornbostel is developing a hybrid plant that captures more carbon than it produces, making it carbon negative. The system integrates natural gas with two carbon capture technologies to achieve high CO2 removal rates during both normal operations and off-peak hours.

Fellowships will advance reporters' coverage of aging issues

The Journalists in Aging Fellows Program aims to educate journalists about aging issues and disseminate information on scientific findings, policy debates, and innovations. The new cohort will participate in online educational sessions and deliver two projects based on current aging research.

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.

'Quantum negativity' can power ultra-precise measurements

Scientists have found that quantum particles can carry unlimited information about interacted objects, enabling precise measurements. Researchers developed a new technique using quasi-probabilities to improve metrology, leading to potential breakthroughs in super-precise microscopes and quantum computers.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Vaping linked with heart problems

A position paper from the European Society of Cardiology highlights the cardiovascular risks of e-cigarette use, particularly among adolescents. The authors call for stricter regulations on marketing and sales, as well as education campaigns to raise awareness about the negative effects of vaping.

Is the Earth's transition zone deforming like the upper mantle?

Researchers investigated the dynamics of the Earth's transition zone, a boundary layer between ~410 and ~660 km depth. They found that deformation mechanisms shift from dislocation creep to pure climb creep at geological stresses, influencing the Earth's geochemical evolution.

Nobel prize-winning work is concentrated in minority of scientific fields

Research found that five scientific fields (particle physics, atomic physics, cell biology, neuroscience, and molecular chemistry) account for more than half of Nobel Prizes awarded between 1995 and 2017. Additionally, many papers in these fields received less citation compared to other publications.

Cholesterol-lowering drug improved function of heart's arteries

A six-week course of a PCSK9 inhibitor improved coronary artery function in people living with HIV or high cholesterol, increasing area and blood flow. The study suggests a potential way to limit cardiovascular disease risk in these populations by improving blood vessel function.

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.

Face-touching behaviors before, during COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers analyzed mask-wearing and face-touching behavior in public areas before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing changes in global populations. The study found that people were more likely to touch their faces when wearing masks or in crowded spaces.

New fabric could help keep you cool in the summer, even without A/C (video)

Researchers created a personal cooling fabric that efficiently transfers heat away from the body while allowing sweat to evaporate. The new material, made from nanofibrous membranes coated with boron nitride nanosheets, has high thermal conductivity and potential uses in solar energy collection and electronic device management.

Adverse effects from cancer drug trials explained

Researchers found that combining pan-Bcl-2 inhibitors with cancer treatments can cause healthy cells to die, leading to reproductive and developmental defects. The study highlights the need for awareness about adverse effects of certain drugs like navitoclax.

COVID-19 provides rare opportunities for studying natural and human systems

A Stanford-led paper explores the unprecedented socioeconomic disruption caused by COVID-19, hypothesizing outcomes for Earth systems and outlining research priorities. The study aims to better understand the impacts of human activity on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and the global economy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

High time to open up ecological research

A recent study found that less than 20% of ecological research is computationally reproducible, highlighting the need for improved sharing of code and data. The study's lead author calls for a drastic increase in code availability to address this issue.

Major climate initiative in the Northeastern US benefits children's health

A new study by Columbia University researchers found that RGGI successfully reduced PM2.5 emissions and improved children's health between 2009-2014, avoiding 537 asthma cases, 112 preterm births, 98 ASD cases, and 56 low birthweight cases. The initiative also generated economic savings of $191-$350 million.

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.

'Good' virus for common infection

Australian researchers have developed a phage cocktail therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment has shown promising results, effectively decreasing bacterial load and improving wound healing.

How a crystalline sponge sheds water molecules

Scientists used dynamic in-situ x-ray diffraction to observe how a crystalline sponge changed shape as it lost water molecules. The study found that one water molecule leaves quickly, causing the crystal lattice to compress and twist, while the other two molecules leave together.

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.

How to mix old tires and building rubble to make sustainable roads

A new material combines recycled concrete aggregate and rubber in a mix precisely optimised to meet road engineering safety standards. The blend is more flexible than standard materials, making roads less prone to cracking and delivering both environmental and engineering benefits.

Scientists make quantum technology smaller

Researchers at the University of Birmingham and international partners have developed a technique to miniaturize sensing devices using cold atoms and optical metasurfaces. The resulting devices are significantly smaller, with potential applications in various industries.

Smaller habitats worse than expected for biodiversity

A new study using data from 123 studies worldwide found that smaller habitats lead to more species extinctions when compared to larger habitats. The researchers developed a way to develop more realistic biodiversity forecasting models by accounting for ecosystem decay.

Room temperature superconductivity creeping toward possibility

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to enhance superconductivity in materials by layering molybdenum sulfide with molybdenum carbide, increasing conductivity by 50% to 6 Kelvin. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy transmission and storage.

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.

COVID-19 may cause deadly blood clots

A new study suggests that COVID-19 may cause deadly blood clots in pregnant women and those taking estrogen, highlighting the need for anticoagulation therapy or discontinuation of estrogen medicines. Research is underway to understand how the coronavirus causes blood clots, which could inform prevention strategies.

Alaskan seismometers record the northern lights

Researchers have matched seismic signals with aurora displays in Alaska, offering a new way to study magnetic fluctuations. By combining data from all-sky cameras and seismometers, scientists can better understand the link between solar winds and the Earth's magnetic field.

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.

Trying to listen to the signal from neurons

Researchers developed a coaxial cable-inspired needle-electrode for multichannel and local-differential recordings of neuronal activity. This innovation achieved high-quality neuronal signal acquisition with a high signal-to-noise ratio, while reducing tissue damage compared to conventional electrodes.

Researchers map mechanisms in the largest CRISPR system

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have mapped and analyzed the atomic structure of the Cmr-β complex, a type III-B CRISPR-Cas system. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms behind this complex's immune response against phages and its potential therapeutic applications in fighting antibiotic resistance.

Indigenous people vital for understanding environmental change

Grassroots knowledge from Indigenous people can help map and monitor ecological changes, improving scientific studies and managing ecosystems. The study reveals negative trends, such as increased invasive species and changes in wild animal health, highlighting the importance of Indigenous and local knowledge for global-scale monitoring.