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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 41 of 47

The electrified brain

Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have identified a specific nerve bundle as the optimal target for deep brain stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study's findings may improve treatment outcomes for patients with severe OCD, which affects over 2% of people worldwide.

Asthma and allergies more common in 'night owl' teens: study

A new study found that teenagers who go to bed late have a higher risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms. Researchers suspect that disruptions to melatonin production due to digital screen exposure may be the cause, and are urging clinicians to ask about sleep habits when diagnosing allergies and asthma.

New insights into van der Waals materials found

The study observed a rare phenomenon known as the dynamic breaking of Friedel's Law in layered van der Waals materials, where the pairs of Bragg peaks show opposite oscillating patterns. This unique behavior is attributed to the lattice structure of the material and its effect on electron diffraction.

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.

Newly discovered pathogen in NY apples causes bitter rot disease

A new fungal pathogen causing bitter rot disease in New York state apples has been identified, along with a second related fungus found in other fruits. The discovery highlights the need for effective management strategies to mitigate losses up to 25% per year in affected orchards.

New vitamin K-based drug shows promise against medication-resistant epilepsy

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have developed a vitamin K-based compound that eliminates medication-resistant epileptic seizures in mice. The compound works by increasing brain cells' ability to produce energy and protects mitochondrial health, making it a promising new treatment option for those with epilepsy.

Innovations for sustainability in a post-pandemic future

The report assesses the positive potential benefits of innovation for sustainable development while also highlighting negative impacts and challenges. It outlines strategies to harness innovation for efficiency and sufficiency in providing services to people, with a focus on human wellbeing.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Physics -- Bubbling and burping droplets of DNA

Researchers discovered that DNA droplets can exhibit bubbling behavior, similar to boiling water, when exposed to certain enzymes. This phenomenon occurs in lightly-bound systems, where the enzyme penetrates the crowded DNA particles, causing an osmotic effect and leading to a burping-like outburst.

Time to get real on the power of positive thinking -- new study

A new study from the University of Bath and LSE found that realists experience the highest long-term happiness compared to optimists. The research suggests that making decisions based on accurate expectations can lead to better outcomes and increased well-being.

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.

Coconut confusion reveals consumer conundrum

A new study reveals that coconut oil production threatens more species per ton produced than palm or other vegetable oils, with 20 threatened species affected per million tons. The research highlights the difficulties of conscientious consumption due to a lack of objective guidance on environmental impacts.

Running in Tarahumara culture

Researchers study Tarahumara runners to dispel stereotypes about their athletic prowess. They find that traditional long-distance running is a socially vital form of prayer and develops endurance through regular hard work and physical activities like walking and dancing.

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.

South American records of drought and rainfall

A study recreated 600 years of South American hydroclimate records, revealing an increase in prolonged droughts and rainfall events since the 1960s. The researchers attribute these changes to oscillations between El Niño and La Niú events, as well as wind patterns at middle southern latitudes.

How does Earth sustain its magnetic field?

The geodynamo generates Earth's magnetic field through the motion of liquid iron in the outer core. New research examines how lighter elements like silicon could drive this process, suggesting a concentration of 8 weight percent silicon is sufficient to sustain the geodynamo on heat transmission alone for the planet's entire history.

Sorting and secreting insulin by expiration date

A study in Journal of Biological Chemistry describes a new way to determine the age of insulin-storage parcels and sheds light on how their age affects their release into the bloodstream. This finding could help experts better understand diabetes and fine-tune therapies for it.

Common hypertension medications may reduce colorectal cancer risk

A large study found that taking common hypertension medications such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs can lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The benefits were seen in patients over 55 and those with a history of colon polyps, but only for the first three years after a negative baseline colonoscopy.

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.

Researchers develop software to find drug-resistant bacteria

A new software program can identify drug-resistant genes in bacteria with up to 90% accuracy. The WSU research team developed a machine-learning algorithm that uses features of AMR proteins to identify AMR genes, providing a more efficient way to predict antimicrobial resistance.

COVID-19 shines spotlight on gender inequity in academia

The pandemic amplifies existing biases against women in academia, including underrepresentation in administrative positions and pay disparities. Women with intersecting identities face even greater challenges due to racial and ethnic bias.

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.

Fathers are more likely to be referred for nutrition or exercise counseling

A new study found that overweight and obese fathers are more likely to receive nutrition or exercise counseling than men without children. This increased referral rate may be attributed to the father's commitment to their child's health, highlighting a potential opportunity for healthcare providers to positively influence family outcomes.

When it comes to DNA repair, it's not one tool fits all

Researchers have discovered that DNA resection pathways are highly specific and designed to repair distinct types of DNA damage, challenging the notion of redundancy in these mechanisms. This understanding has significant implications for cancer therapy and the development of new treatments.

Multisample technique to analyze cell adhesion

Researchers at KAUST developed a new fluorescent multiplex cell rolling assay (FMCR) to analyze cell adhesion, speeding up the process and enabling analysis of multiple cell types. The technique has applications in studying cellular processes in inflammation or cancer cell metastasis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Low-threshold topological nanolasers based on the second-order corner state

A team of scientists demonstrates a low-threshold topological nanolaser in a 2D topological photonic crystal nanocavity, achieving high performance comparable to conventional semiconductor lasers. The design features a second-order corner state that provides robustness against defects and enhances light-matter interaction.

Herpesvirsuses hedge their bets to optimize survival

Researchers discover that cytomegalovirus enters a dormant state by varying protein levels in viral particles, allowing the virus to survive and persist for life. This 'bet-hedging' strategy enables the virus to balance between infectiousness and latency.

Machine learning reveals vulnerabilities in 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used machine learning to reverse-engineer 3D-printed composite parts, demonstrating a method to capture fiber orientation with high accuracy. The study highlights the potential risks of intellectual property theft in 3D printing and emphasizes the need for secure toolpaths.

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.

Using Epo against Covid-19

Researchers suggest Epo may mitigate severe disease progression and protect patients from neurological effects in Covid-19. Initial case studies indicate a positive effect of Epo treatment, with one patient showing rapid recovery after treatment.

Nitrogen saturation in US Midwest lakes

Researchers discovered that 85.8% of lake water samples were supersaturated with nitrogen gas, suggesting a lack of balance between nitrogen inputs and fixation. The findings highlight the need for terrestrial nitrogen sources to mitigate nitrogen loss in the lakes.

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.

Genetics of aggression in honey bees

Researchers identified over 1,100 genetic variants associated with colony-wide aggression levels in response to simulated attacks. A chromosomal region containing genes involved in brain development was found to be strongly linked to the evolution of gentler Africanized honey bees.

Highest peak power and excellent stability

Researchers have developed a new system delivering few-ps pulses at 2 μm wavelength with peak power of 17 GW, exceeding previous records. The system features excellent stability and brilliant beam quality, making it suitable for applications in nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, and materials processing.

Yellow pond-lily prefers cyclic flowers to spiral ones

Researchers discovered that yellow pond-lily (Nuphar lutea) exhibits a cyclic flower structure, with sepals forming two whorls and petals in a single whorl. This finding provides valuable information about the evolutionary history of angiosperms and their first flowers.

EIC Center at Jefferson Lab announces 6 new research awards

The EIC Center at Jefferson Lab has awarded six fellowships to early-career researchers working on advancing the science program of the Electron-Ion Collider. The fellowships provide $36,000 stipends and support R&D efforts towards realizing the potential of the collider.

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.

Correlating global events with rise of complex life

Researchers date Shuram excursion to 574-567.3 million years ago, suggesting global synchronicity and decoupling of complex life from biogeochemical events. The study challenges traditional views on the coevolution of Ediacaran life and environment.

One million epilepsy patients in China missing out on beneficial surgery

A study published in Neurology suggests that at least one million Chinese people with epilepsy could be candidates for a standard operation to leave them seizure-free. The study found 108 patients with lesions that could potentially be cured by surgery, with a high success rate of around 70-80%.

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.

Asthma does not seem to increase the severity of COVID-19

Rutgers researchers conclude that asthma sufferers are no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than non-asthmatic individuals, despite older age and comorbid conditions being reported risk factors for COVID-19. Further study is needed to understand the physiological basis of this phenomenon.

IU School of Medicine study paves way for earlier autism diagnosis in Indiana

A new early autism screening system has improved access to evaluations and lowered the age of diagnosis, with a mean age of 30 months compared to national average of 48-plus months. The system was developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals across Indiana, enabling primary care physicians to identify children at risk for ASD.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New study looks at opioid use and driving outcomes among older adults

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that older adults taking opioids are at a higher risk of crashing, with a 5.4% increase in reported crashes compared to non-users. However, they also tend to self-regulate their driving habits and report lower self-rated driving ability.

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-order synthetic dimensions in waveguide photonic lattices

High-dimensional synthetic lattices emerge in photon-number space when excited by N indistinguishable photons, allowing for parallel quantum random walks with different numbers of steps on various graphs. This discovery enables the realization of an infinite number of lattices and graphs with distinct properties.

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.

New research reveals privacy risks of home security cameras

Researchers found that home security camera traffic can be monitored by attackers to predict occupancy and future activity, leaving users vulnerable to burglary. The study highlights the need for measures to protect user privacy when using IP-connected cameras.

Palm trees most abundant in American rainforests

A new study reveals that palm trees are the most abundant tree species in American rainforests, outnumbering other tropical forest plants by a significant margin. The research, led by scientists at Uppsala University and University of Campinas, Brazil, has quantified palm numbers globally for the first time.