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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 3


Page 3 of 47

Despite decline, distribution of air pollution highlights socioeconomic disparities

A new study finds that air pollution distribution has remained largely unchanged, with disadvantaged communities more likely to have higher levels of particulate pollution. The concentration of fine particulate air pollution has decreased by 70% since 1981 in the US, but socioeconomic disparities persist.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2020

Loss of adaptive immunity helps deep sea anglerfish fuse with their mates

Deep-sea anglerfish have evolved a unique immune system that allows them to temporarily or permanently fuse with their mates without experiencing immune rejection. This altered immunity, which lacks adaptive immune functions, has helped facilitate the evolutionary success of these species.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2020

Compounds show promise in search for tuberculosis antibiotics

Compounds tested for their potential as antibiotics have demonstrated promising activity against tuberculosis (TB), a deadly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study found that the compounds exploit well-known targets for drugs, including the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

In defence mode: this is how Zika virus protects key parts of its genome

Scientists have discovered a simple and ingenious strategy used by the Zika virus to protect important parts of its genome from host cell defence mechanisms. The virus uses an automatic umbrella-like mechanism, where one end of the viral RNA strand is protected while the other is not, allowing it to replicate efficiently.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2020

Faster LEDs for wireless communications from invisible light

Researchers at Tohoku University developed faster LED-based optical wireless technology using deep ultraviolet light, overcoming solar interference issues in traditional Li-Fi systems. The new LEDs enable quicker communication speeds and are suitable for use in 5G wireless networks.

SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

A new, physics-based model predicts imminent large solar flares

A new physics-based model, κ-scheme, predicts imminent large solar flares more reliably than previous methods. The model forecasts solar flares up to 20 hours in advance and identifies their location and energy release.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

Single-shot COVID-19 vaccine protects non-human primates

A single-shot COVID-19 vaccine developed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center raised neutralizing antibodies and protected non-human primates against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses adenovirus serotype 26 to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, stimulating immune responses.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJul 30, 2020

Your brain parasite isn't making you sick -- here's why

Researchers at UVA School of Medicine discovered that brain defenders called microglia release a unique immune molecule to control the parasite in the brain, preventing symptomatic toxoplasmosis. This finding has implications for brain infections, neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune disorders.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2020

Helicopter parents should step back and watch, study recommends

A new study from Edith Cowan University found that allowing toddlers to explore their world while parents observe can reduce parental stress levels and improve mental health. Parents who participated in a 6-week Respectful Approach program reported lower stress and increased confidence in their children's capabilities.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies·DateJul 30, 2020

New risk tool developed for cardiac arrest patients

A new risk score, MIRACLE2, predicts brain injury in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with high accuracy. The score is developed to help clinicians make critical decisions and improve treatment selection.

SourceKing's College London·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

Young kids could spread COVID-19 as much as older children and adults

A recent study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that young children with mild to moderate COVID-19 have higher viral loads than older age groups, suggesting they can transmit the virus just as easily. This finding has significant public health implications for discussions on reopening schools and daycare.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 30, 2020

Training algorithms to identify COVID-19 in CT scans

A team led by University of Pittsburgh's Jingtong Hu is working on a project to train algorithms that can accurately diagnose pneumonia caused by COVID-19 using CT scans. The goal is to create a mobile scanning device that can quickly screen for signs of the disease in crowded places.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJul 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Most women treated in New York City for gynecologic cancers

A new study by NYU Langone Health found that women receiving standard treatment for ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers are not at increased risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19. In fact, 75% of gynecologic cancer patients with COVID-19 had a mild form of the disease and recovered

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCancer·DateJul 30, 2020

Group-based smoking cessation help US inmates quit tobacco

Rutgers researchers found that a combination of behavioral and nicotine replacement therapies helps incarcerated men and transgender women quit smoking. The six-week program led to significant reductions in tobacco smoking or complete abstinence, suggesting its potential for larger-scale studies.

SourceRutgers University·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

Faraday Institution announces six industry fellowships

The Faraday Institution has selected six industry fellows to undertake electrochemical energy storage research projects, aiming to solve critical industrial problems. The programmes will enable academics and industrialists to work together, establishing valuable career development experience and potential for longer-term collaborations.

SourceThe Faraday Institution·DateJul 30, 2020

Looking up to the Joneses: Consequences of the perceptions of white wealth

A study by Cooley et al. found that white Americans tend to compare their status to other white Americans, leading to negative emotions and poor physical health. In contrast, Black Americans more often compared their status to others within their own group, resulting in better mental well-being.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJul 30, 2020

Plastics, pathogens and baby formula: What's in your shellfish?

A recent study found alarming levels of human bacterial pathogens and microdebris materials, including plastics and milk supplement powders, in oysters from the eastern Andaman Sea. The research suggests that coastal urbanization increases contamination in seafood, posing significant health risks to humans and threatening global food s...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 30, 2020

Challenging a central dogma of chemistry

Researchers have discovered a way for chemical reactions to accelerate Brownian diffusion by sending long-range ripples into the surrounding solvent. This finding challenges the traditional view of molecular motion and chemical reaction being decoupled.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Alzheimer's risk factors may be measurable in adolescents and young adults

Researchers have identified measurable Alzheimer's risk factors in adolescents and young adults, emphasizing the need for early interventions targeting heart health and education. Studies found that high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor educational quality are associated with worse late-life cognition, particularly in African Americans.

SourceAlzheimer's Association·DateJul 30, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nanoreactor strategy generates superior supported bimetallic catalysts

A new nanoreactor strategy has been proposed for synthesizing superior supported bimetallic catalysts, showing enhanced catalytic performance in formic acid dehydrogenation and recyclability. The synthesized PdAu BNPs exhibit uniform diameter and homogenous distribution, with a TOF value of 3684 h-1 at 333 K.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMaterials Today·DateJul 30, 2020

Partnerships with bankrupt companies could be double-edged sword for investors

New research found that a company's past investments in advertising and R&D can help suppliers and partners make informed decisions about whether to bet on the bankrupt customer or partner. Advertising increases survival odds when suppliers have high influence, while R&D decreases them when suppliers have low influence.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 30, 2020

Remote islands: Stepping stones to understanding evolution

Researchers used DNA sequencing, 3D imaging, and computation to examine the taxon cycle hypothesis for how evolution occurs on islands. They found that all 14 endemic ant species were descended from a single colonizer, contradicting the theory's prediction of repeated colonizations.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalEvolution·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

Stress and resilience: Improving reproductive health outcomes

Lehigh University researchers study factors that promote resilience and protect against stress in vulnerable communities. By understanding the role of personal capital, they aim to develop insights for improving reproductive health outcomes and promoting health equity.

SourceLehigh University·DateJul 30, 2020

Economic and food supply chain disruptions endanger global food security

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all four pillars of food security, including availability, access, utilization, and stability, according to a new article. Income declines are putting food access at risk, particularly for the extreme poor, who spend 70% of their income on food.

SourceInternational Food Policy Research Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2020

Headline news: Botox injections may lessen depression

Researchers found that nearly 40,000 people who received Botox injections for various reasons reported significantly lower rates of depression compared to patients undergoing different treatments. The study suggests a complex mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects of Botox.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 30, 2020
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.

New study confirms extensive gas leaks in the North Sea

A new study published by GEOMAR scientists reveals that thousands of tons of methane are leaking from old drill holes on the North Sea floor every year. The research used combined investigations and seismic data to estimate that up to 3700 tonnes of methane could be emitted annually from this area alone.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control·DateJul 30, 2020

Researchers discover stem cells in optic nerve that preserve vision

Scientists have identified stem cells in the optic nerve that help preserve vision and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for disorders causing blindness. The discovery presents a new theory on why glaucoma develops and provides potential ways to treat this leading cause of blindness in American adults.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

North Atlantic climate far more predictable following major scientific breakthrough

Scientists have made a major breakthrough in predicting North Atlantic pressure patterns, which drive European and eastern North American winter weather. The study suggests that decadal variations in atmospheric pressure are highly predictable, enabling advanced warnings of extreme weather events.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature·DateJul 30, 2020

Older Americans receive cancer screenings past recommended age

Researchers found that 59.3% of men and 56.2% of women over 75 received unnecessary colorectal cancer screenings, while 45.8% of women under 65 received unnecessary cervical cancer screenings. The study highlights the need for targeted screening recommendations to balance risks with benefits.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 30, 2020

Lead released in Notre Dame Cathedral fire detected in Parisian honey

Research from UBC's PCIGR analyzed honey samples from Parisian hives collected after the April 2019 Notre Dame Cathedral fire. Lead concentrations were up to four times higher than pre-fire levels, suggesting exposure to lead contamination. The study provides a unique method for tracing environmental pollution using honey.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateJul 29, 2020
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.

How the brain senses smell

Researchers at IIT and Harvard University identified the tricks used by the brain to discriminate and generalize odorous molecules. The study sheds light on how our brain processes information from the sense of smell, revealing a new mechanism for recognizing specific smells.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2020

Stem cell 'therapy' injuries more widespread than we knew

A nationwide survey of academic neurologists reveals that bad outcomes from stem cell tourism are much more common than realized, with complications including infections, strokes, spinal tumors, seizures, and even deaths. Many neurologists feel ill-equipped to warn patients about the dangers of unproven treatments.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJul 29, 2020

Genetically similar fungi cause severe infections in different hospitals

Researchers analyzed 884 fungal samples from 16 hospitals worldwide to identify clusters of genetically identical strains, suggesting the presence of more virulent and drug-resistant varieties. The study highlights the importance of monitoring hospital infection control protocols and finding effective therapies to combat Candidemia.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateJul 29, 2020

Eyckian Lamb of God reveals her secrets

Chemical imaging modalities have helped reveal the Eyckian Lamb of God's hidden facial features, including v-shaped nostrils and forward-gazing eyes. A smaller, more naturalistically shaped body with a sagging back and rounded hindquarters has also been discovered, suggesting revisions to the original design.

SourceUniversity of Antwerp - Faculty of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 29, 2020

Healing an Achilles' heel of quantum entanglement

Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the exact entanglement cost of a given quantum state, allowing for more precise measurement and application in various quantum research areas. This breakthrough resolves a longstanding investigation in entanglement theory, enabling efficient computation and broad applicability.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2020
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.

Gender gaps in surgical specialties may take decades to close

A new study analyzed national data on women's representation in surgical specialties, finding little progress made in equal representation for women over the last 11 years. The research projects that many specialties will take decades to reach equal female representation if current progress continues.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 29, 2020

C&EN names top 50 chemical companies

The American Chemical Society names BASF the number one chemical company for 2019, followed by Sinopec and Dow/DuPont, in its annual Global Top 50 list. The report shows a decline in earnings due to trade tensions and poor automotive performance.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 29, 2020

Underwater robots reveal daily habits of endangered whales

The study revealed the Mediterranean sperm whale's widespread presence in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and identified a possible hotspot for habitat in the Gulf of Lion. Continuous day and night monitoring during winter months suggests different foraging strategies between areas.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateJul 29, 2020