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Science News Archive July 2020


Page 9 of 47

Yale to lead trial of potential COVID-19 treatment

LAM-002A has shown promise in reducing SARS-CoV-2 virus levels in infected individuals, with Yale leading a Phase II trial to test its safety and efficacy as a COVID-19 treatment. The study aims to enroll 142 newly diagnosed patients to assess the drug's effectiveness in preventing disease progression.

Income and educational inequality

A study analyzing US survey and tax data reveals a strong relationship between rising income inequality and lower college enrollment and completion rates among disadvantaged groups. The research highlights the significant impact of income inequality on educational opportunities in the United States.

Duke-NUS: Cancer mutations caused by bacterial toxin preventable

Researchers discovered that almost 20% of patients with unexplained intestinal polyps had tumors with mutations similar to those caused by colibactin, a bacterial toxin. Regular tooth brushing may have prevented the bacterial infection that triggered these cancer-causing DNA mutations.

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.

Army project turns to nature for help with self-healing material

Researchers created a self-healing polymer that can repair itself in one second, while retaining its original strength, and is also biodegradable and recyclable. The material mimics the squid's ability to heal itself in nature, with potential applications for robotic machines, prosthetic legs, and personal protective equipment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UT extension publication earns top honors from national organization

The University of Tennessee Extension's Cotton Nitrogen Management publication has been awarded a Blue Ribbon by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The publication, authored by Lori Duncan and Tyson Raper, provides recommendations for optimizing nitrogen use efficiency in cotton production.

Flu vaccine may reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease, new study shows

A new study published at the 2020 Alzheimer's Association International Conference suggests that receiving at least one flu vaccination can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease over a lifetime. The research found that people who received a flu vaccine were 17% less likely to get Alzheimer's disease.

Model links patterns in sediment to rain, uplift and sea level change

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin developed a computer model that connects distinct patterns in sedimentary deposits to shifts in climate and tectonic activity. The model, which uses a 3D source-to-sink approach, allows scientists to simulate the world under different tectonics and climate conditions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Is spanking of children by parents less common?

A study examining changes in spanking of children over 25 years found that it decreased significantly in the US. The study analyzed data from 1993 to 2018 and found a decline in spanking rates among parents across different demographic groups.

'Selfish and loveless' society in Uganda really is not

A Baylor University study led by Cathryn Townsend challenges the long-held notion that the Ik ethnic group in Uganda is selfish and loveless. The research found that sharing and cooperation are integral to Ik culture, with a strong emphasis on supernatural punishment for those who do not share.

Pesticides can protect crops from hydrophobic pollutants

Researchers developed two approaches to control plant proteins related to hydrophobic pollutant transport. A pesticide that suppresses MLP gene expression reduced hydrophobic pollutant accumulation, while an MLP-binding pesticide inhibited binding to pollutants. This breakthrough enables safer crop production on contaminated soil.

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.

Controlling streams of liquid metal at room temperature

Researchers from NC State University demonstrate a technique to produce streams of liquid metal at room temperature by applying a low voltage, lowering its surface tension across three orders of magnitude. The study reveals the potential applications for this technique in creating stretchable wires and studying fluid behavior.

Studying COVID-19's envelope protein

Scientists have identified a highly conserved envelope protein in both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, which could be targeted with existing drugs to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome. Researchers plan to conduct trials using FDA-approved medications and aim to utilize their data for vaccine design.

Maternal depression increases odds of depression in offspring, study shows

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that maternal depression during and after pregnancy significantly increases the odds of depression in offspring during adolescence and adulthood. The research, which examined over 15,000 children, shows that perinatal depression can have a lasting negative impact on mental health.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

How a pandemic could advance science of early adversity

Recent advances in early child development can help understand the pandemic's consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated research into empirically supported interventions for children affected by adversity, potentially benefiting this population in the long term.

Hedonism leads to happiness

New research from the University of Zurich and Radboud University found that people's capacity for hedonism contributes at least as much to a happy life as successful self-control. Distracted thoughts can undermine immediate pleasure, while consciously planning downtime can help enjoy it more

Ultra-low power brain implants find meaningful signal in grey matter noise

The team discovered a technique to compress brain signals, focusing on neural activity spikes called threshold crossing rate or TCR, which requires less data while still being able to predict firing neurons. By listening to a specific feature of neuron data called spiking-band power, the SBP method is highly accurate and takes in one-t...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study identifies top reasons for sewer line failure

A new study identifies weak concrete and heavy trucks as the top reasons for sewer line failure. The researchers used statistical analysis to show that these factors are most likely to trigger a problem among common causes of sewer pipe failure.

Predicting the quality of romantic relationships

A machine-learning approach analyzing 2,413 measures from 11,196 couples identified key predictors of relationship quality. Life satisfaction and emotional health were strong individual characteristics associated with relationship quality.

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.

Which bacteria truly qualify as probiotics?

Four simple criteria have been established to accurately use the term 'probiotic': purity, safety, clinical trial support, and maintenance of viability in products. This clarity will provide consumers with better transparency about expected benefits and allow them to make informed choices.

Pristine environments offer a window to our cloudy past

A new study uses satellite data to understand global cloud composition during the industrial revolution, finding that early-industrial aerosol concentrations were much higher than estimated by climate models. This could mean human-generated atmospheric aerosols are not having as strong a cooling effect as previously thought.

Tendency to select targeted retirement fund ending in zero may impact wealth

A new study by Iowa State University researchers reveals that individuals tend to select retirement funds ending in zero, leading to an incompatible level of risk and potentially lower total wealth at retirement. The findings suggest that demographic factors such as age, income, and education can influence the likelihood of this 'zero'...

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.

NIH awards $9.5 million for Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center

The Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center has received a $9.5 million grant from the NIH to support research in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders. The center will utilize a new shared Immuno-Technology Core (ITC) to pursue innovative projects, including immunotherapeutics and intermittent fasting diets.

Link confirmed between a healthy diet and prostate cancer prevention

A recent study found an association between a healthy diet and reduced prostate cancer risk, as well as an increased risk with diets rich in sweets and beverages. The research team analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and identified key dietary patterns that may inform prevention strategies for prostate cancer.

Changes in brain cartilage may explain why sleep helps you learn

Scientists have discovered that changes in brain cartilage cells regulate memory changes during sleep, making memories stronger and weaker. Sleep deprivation prevents these changes, suggesting that altering the structure of perineuronal nets may be one of the mechanisms behind sleep-induced memory consolidation.

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.

Laser inversion enables multi-materials 3D printing

Researchers invent new laser inversion technique to overcome SLS limitations, enabling simultaneous printing of multiple materials. The process allows for stronger, denser materials and complex multi-material parts without assembly, expanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, and robotics.

Medical journals' commercial publishing contracts may lead to biased articles

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that articles published in journals accepting reprint fees are nearly three times more likely to be written by authors receiving industry payments. Journals with higher commercial practices have more author conflicts, suggesting a need for stricter open access publishing.

New affinity purification technique for therapeutic proteins

A new purification technique using molecular affinity interaction has been developed to purify therapeutic proteins with high efficiency and purity. The technique uses synthetic host molecules cucurbit[7]uril and adamantane to secure manufacturability, sterilization, and recyclability of purified materials.

Trial finds drug safe and effective in treating hep-c during pregnancy

A phase I clinical trial found that the antiviral drug cocktail ledipasvir/sofosbuvir resulted in a 100% hepatitis C cure rate among nine pregnant volunteers, with none of their babies contracting the virus. The study suggests that pregnancy could be an excellent time to diagnose and cure hepatitis C infection.

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.

Rise and fall of Negev viticulture

Researchers uncovered evidence of Negev viticulture's rise from the 4th to 6th centuries CE, driven by Mediterranean trade. The industry declined due to climate change, plague, or sociopolitical changes, with no link to the Islamic conquest.

Study: Mapping crystal shapes could fast-track 2D materials

Researchers propose creating a global database of 2D crystal patterns and recipes to unlock the CVD process and environment for mass production. A Nakaya-like diagram has been developed to analyze these patterns, enabling scientists to infer clues about process variables.

Unparalleled inventory of the human gut ecosystem

Researchers have compiled an unparalleled inventory of the human gut ecosystem by sequencing over 200,000 bacterial genomes from more than 4,600 species. The new databases reveal tremendous diversity in human guts and pave the way for microbiome research.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Molecular cause underlying rare genetic disorder revealed

Researchers discovered abnormalities in communication between brain cells and molecular changes affecting protein production due to dysfunctional CASK gene. The study also suggests an unexpected role for CASK in regulating energy production in cells, which may explain diminished brain size and dysregulated function.

Violent extremism and perceptions of hate crimes

Biased perceptions of hate crimes are linked to sympathies with supremacist groups and societal grievances, according to a study. Prejudice against minority groups influences perception of the motivations behind mass shootings.

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.

Randomness theory could hold key to internet security

Researchers at Cornell University have identified a problem that holds the key to whether all encryption can be broken. The study connects two areas of mathematics - cryptography and algorithmic information theory - to show that a natural computational problem characterizes the feasibility of basic cryptography.