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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 43 of 47

Norovirus has two alternative capsid structures which change before infection

Scientists from Japan investigate the mouse norovirus structure and find two alternative capsid structures (type A and type B) that switch depending on aqueous conditions. Type B particles show a delay in propagation and reduced adsorption to host cells, suggesting they may evade the immune system before changing to type A for infection.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Did adaptive radiations shape reptile evolution?

A study found that fast rates of morphological evolution do not need to coincide with taxonomic diversification in reptiles. The team discovered that accelerated rates of evolution correspond to the origin of unique body plans, but varying rates can result in similar functional adaptations.

The sixth sense of animals

Researchers found that animals exhibited unusual behavior up to 20 hours before earthquakes, with stronger reactions closer to the epicenter. The movement data were evaluated using statistical models, suggesting a potential for an animal-based earthquake early warning system.

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.

Getting a grasp on India's malaria burden

A new approach developed by Kyoto University scientists provides insight into the liver stage of the Plasmodium vivax malaria parasite. The method involves infecting human liver cells with mosquito-bred parasites, enabling researchers to study the parasite's life cycle and develop more effective treatments.

Heatwave trends accelerate worldwide

A global assessment of heatwaves has found increasing frequency and duration since the 1950s, with regions like the Mediterranean experiencing rapid changes. The cumulative heat metric shows accelerating trends worldwide, but not in heatwave intensity.

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.

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.

How the body regulates scar tissue growth after heart attacks

Researchers found that a protein called type 5 collagen plays a critical role in regulating the size of scar tissue in the heart. Without it, scarring can lead to increased strain on the remaining heart muscle and higher risks of heart rhythm problems and sudden cardiac death.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

More ecosystem engineers create stability, preventing extinctions

A new study using ecological network models finds that many ecosystem engineers, such as the shipworm and beavers, create stability in ecosystems, preventing extinctions. The model uses simple rules to show how food webs are assembled and species interactions change over time.

Long-term consequences of river damming in the Panama Canal

Researchers from Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute analyzed sediment cores and historical records to study the long-term effects of damming on Lake Gatun's ecosystem. The findings highlight the importance of natural river processes in maintaining biodiversity in tropical ecosystems.

How prison and police discrimination affect black sexual minority men's health

A Rutgers-led study finds that incarceration and police discrimination contribute to higher rates of psychological distress, HIV risk, and lower willingness to take PrEP among Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men. The research highlights the need for anti-racist and anti-heterosexist advocacy and interventions to address ...

Call for immunology to return to the wild

A multidisciplinary research team proposes integrating diverse species and environments into immunology research to develop treatments and vaccines for viruses. Observations in nature, such as the cowpox virus, have led to vaccine discoveries; now, studying new species can yield large payoffs.

Sniffing out smell

Researchers discovered that neural representations of smell in the cortex reflect chemical similarities between odors, allowing for categorization. The findings also suggest that sensory experiences can rewire these representations.

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.

DOE awards $3.15 million to Argonne to support collaborations with industry

The US Department of Energy has awarded $3.15 million to Argonne National Laboratory to support collaborations with private companies. This funding is part of the Technology Commercialization Fund, which aims to advance energy technologies and strengthen partnerships between DOE's National Laboratories and industry partners.

Apgar score effective in assessing health of preterm infants

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found the Apgar score effective in assessing health of preterm infants, with lower scores associated with increased mortality risk. A higher Apgar score significantly increases the chance of survival for premature babies, highlighting its importance regardless of gestational age.

A path to new nanofluidic devices applying spintronics technology

The study elucidates the mechanism of hydrodynamic power generation using spin currents in micrometer-scale channels, improving power generation efficiency drastically with smaller flow sizes. The researchers also demonstrate the feasibility of applying this technology to spintronics-based nanofluidic devices and flowmeters.

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.

Marijuana use while pregnant boosts risk of children's sleep problems

A University of Colorado Boulder study found that mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were more likely to report their children having clinical sleep problems. The researchers also discovered that frequent marijuana use was associated with somnolence symptoms in children, such as excessive tiredness and difficulty waking up.

Prospective teachers misperceive Black children as angry

A study by Amy G. Halberstadt found that prospective teachers are more likely to misperceive Black children as angry than white children, which can have negative consequences for Black youth. The study suggests that this anger bias can lead to Black children being disciplined unfairly and suspended more often from school.

Timing of SNAP benefits can reduce childhood injuries

A new study found that low-income families receiving SNAP benefits later in the month experience fewer emergency room visits for childhood injuries, likely due to better meal planning and food security. The researchers suggest that supporting federal food assistance programs like SNAP can help reduce childhood injuries and morbidity.

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.

Number of HIV-1 founder variants determined by source partner infection

A new modeling study suggests that the number of infection-initiating viral variants is primarily determined by how long the source partner has been infected. The risk for multiple-founder variant transfer during sexual HIV exposure is nearly doubled during the first three months of the source partner's infection.

Coronavirus damages the endocrine system

A new review finds that COVID-19 can cause damage to the endocrine system, leading to worsening of existing conditions and increased risk of diabetes. Steroids may be a crucial treatment option for patients with COVID-19, as recent studies have shown improved mortality rates in severely ill patients treated with dexamethasone.

The secret double life of histone H3 as a copper reductase enzyme

Histones may have evolved to adapt to oxygenated environments by reducing toxic copper, a crucial element for biological processes. The study reveals a new function of the histone H3-H4 tetramer as an oxidoreductase enzyme, making harmful copper oxidation state safe for use inside cells.

The protein that stands between us and autoimmunity

Studies from Osaka University revealed that Tet2 and Tet3 proteins play a crucial role in regulating B cell activity and preventing autoimmunity. By knocking out these proteins, researchers found increased serum levels of autoantibodies and organ damage in mice, highlighting the importance of epigenetic control in immune function.

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.

Gender gaps in STEM college majors emerge in high school

Research by Cornell University's Kim Weeden suggests that early high school occupational plans are a key factor in determining future STEM college majors, with significant gender differences emerging at this stage. Women are less likely than men to plan for STEM careers, despite similar math abilities and academic achievements.

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 weapons for fighting Devil disease

New cost-effective technology enables advanced immunology studies on Tasmanian devils and reveals conserved immune pathways across 160 million years of evolution. The system can be applied to any vertebrate species, including humans.

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.

Stemming the spread of misinformation on social media

Researchers found that priming people to consider accuracy makes them more adept at recognizing truth from falsehoods, even if they don't think about it directly. By subtly nudging the brain to consider accuracy, individuals can improve their choices about what to share on social media.

Study: Crowdsourced data could help map urban food deserts

Researchers found that crowdsourced information gathered from mobile apps like Yelp can provide a more accurate real-time representation of food deserts in impoverished communities. The study suggests that the methods used by the USDA to identify areas with low access to healthy food are often outdated and narrow in scope.

A scientific measure of dog years

Researchers found a new formula that better matches canine-human life stages, with an 8-week-old dog equivalent to a 9-month-old baby. The study also identified developmental genes that drive aging and created an age-measuring clock for different species.

Mobile clinics can help address health care needs of Latino farmworkers

A UC Riverside study finds that mobile health clinics can reduce access barriers and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations like Latino farmworkers. The research suggests that mobile clinics offer culturally and linguistically appropriate care, minimizing structural barriers to care.

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.

Mini-'Marsquakes' measured by InSight lander show effects of sun and wind

Researchers at Kyushu University analyzed data from NASA's InSight lander to determine the sources of different types and frequencies of Martian microtremors. The study found that low-frequency P-waves were related to changes in wind and solar irradiation, while higher-frequency ambient noises were dominated by lander vibration.