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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 30


Page 30 of 47

Well-off countries need trade to cut environmental woes

A new study in Nature Sustainability shows that international trade improved the sustainable development goals of 70% of developed countries but reduced them by over 60% for developing countries. The research found that trading with distant countries had more environmental benefits, as close neighbors often share similar constraints.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 13, 2020

New therapy extends breast cancer survival rate, prevents reoccurrence

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new immunotherapy that extends the survival time of mice with triple-negative breast cancer by 150% and prevents tumor reoccurrence. The therapy, which uses spherical nucleic acids, stimulates an immune response to combat cancer cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Advanced Acheulean tool technology

A 1.4-million-year-old bone handaxe from Konso, Ethiopia, showcases deliberate shaping and cutting activities of early Homo species. The discovery expands the known technological repertoire of Acheulean tool production, highlighting advanced flaking techniques used on bone.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Racial disparities in COVID-19 are clear; better data, more targeted action needed

Racial disparities in COVID-19 cases and deaths are clear, with African Americans disproportionately impacted by infection rates and death. The investigation calls for more complete surveillance data and targeted strategies to engage trusted community leaders and improve safer working and living conditions.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 13, 2020

International recommendations for nontuberculous mycobacteria

A new, evidence-based guideline has been created to treat patients with NTM lung disease. The guidelines, developed by experts from leading international societies, provide thirty-one recommendations for the treatment of patients suffering from NTM pathogens.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 13, 2020

1 in 3 young adults may face severe COVID-19, UCSF study shows

A new UCSF study reveals that young adults with smoking habits are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19. The study found that medical vulnerability was 33% for males and 30% for females, with smoking surpassing other less common risks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 13, 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.

Artificial intelligence predicts which planetary systems will survive

A Princeton astrophysicist has developed an AI model, SPOCK, to predict the stability of planetary systems. By combining simplified models with machine learning methods, researchers can quickly eliminate unstable configurations, reducing computational time by factors of 100,000.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Russian scientists have discovered a new physical paradox

Researchers at Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University discovered a new physical effect where mechanical oscillations can be excited only due to internal thermal resources. This phenomenon, called ballistic resonance, grows in amplitude over time and can resolve the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou paradox.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJul 13, 2020

New bioink for cell bioprinting in 3D

A research group at Linköping University has developed a dynamic bioink that allows cells to survive and thrive during 3D printing. The bioink's properties can be modified as required, enabling the creation of tissue-mimicking materials with tailored functionalities.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBiofabrication·DateJul 13, 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.

How crabs reshape salt marshes

A species of crab, Sesarma reticulatum, is reshaping the landscape of marshlands in the southeastern US. The crab's burrowing and grazing activities lead to erosion of creek heads, accelerating marsh drainage and altering ecosystem dynamics.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

For next-generation semiconductors, 2D tops 3D

A team of researchers at POSTECH has developed a new type of semiconductor memory that uses a two-dimensional layered structure material, which can operate stably at low power consumption. The material, CsPb2Br5, showed improved stability and performance compared to traditional materials, with memory characteristics maintained over 140°C.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJul 13, 2020

Wing flapping during condor flight

Andean condors flap their wings for only 1.3% of the total recorded flight time, with most time spent gliding and soaring. Flapping is most frequent during takeoffs and in early morning, when thermal updrafts form.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Invisible defence against adenoviruses

Researchers found that arsenic trioxide can restore the body's natural antiviral factories to fight adenovirus infections. The medication has been approved for leukemia treatment and shows promise in inhibiting adenovirus replication without developing resistance.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJul 13, 2020

Meditation linked to lower cardiovascular risk

A large-scale survey found that meditation was associated with reduced rates of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease. The study controlled for other factors connected to cardiovascular risk and still showed a significant effect of meditation on cardiovascular health.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·DateJul 13, 2020

UMass Amherst team makes artificial energy source for muscle

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed an alternative energy source for muscle protein myosin, enabling controlled muscle activity and potentially treating conditions like cerebral palsy and chronic heart failure. The new energy source, Azobenzene triphosphate, has been shown to modulate myosin function and generate force and velo...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJul 13, 2020

Comparing health in middle-aged adults in US, England by income

This observational study found significant differences in health outcomes between high- and low-income middle-aged adults in the US and England. The results highlight persistent socioeconomic disparities in health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these gaps.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

For every COVID-19 death, 9 close family members are left to grieve

A new analysis reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in nearly 1.22 million Americans losing a close relation, with young people and Black Americans disproportionately affected. The study found that each death corresponds to approximately 9 bereaved individuals, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the crisis on families.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Life expectancy in the United States

Life expectancy in the US varies significantly across census tracts, with socioeconomic and demographic factors playing a major role. The study identified strong associations between age, income, and race/ethnicity with life expectancy at local levels.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Electron cryo-microscopy: Using inexpensive technology to produce high-resolution images

Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg have successfully determined the structure of ferritin using an affordable electron cryo-microscope, achieving resolutions comparable to expensive equipment. This method enables collaboration on structural analysis of samples with medical and biotechnological potential.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 13, 2020

Jumping course

Scientists have discovered three ways that deltas can respond to sea level rise, depending on the balance between sediment supply and rate of sea-level change. This understanding has significant implications for climate change and human interference, with potential impacts on river ecosystems and societal stability.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Significantly less addictive opioid may slow progression of osteoarthritis while easing pain

A novel study by Keck Medicine of USC researchers reveals a potential new opioid medication that can slow the progression of osteoarthritis while easing pain. The medication, which activates the kappa opioid receptor, has been shown to preserve cartilage in joints and alleviate pain with reduced risk of addiction.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJul 13, 2020

Military personnel at risk of suicide store firearms unsafely

A Rutgers University study found that military personnel at risk of suicide are more likely to store firearms in unlocked cabinets, increasing access to them. The researchers emphasize the importance of safe firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJul 13, 2020

University research and the private sector

A University of Illinois study using neonatal pigs found that pectin at 0.2% in milk replacer was safe for infants, a breakthrough made possible by public-private partnerships. The research highlights the benefits of collaborations between universities and industry, enabling faster innovation and high-quality science.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalRegulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology·DateJul 13, 2020

Origins of green coloration in frogs

Researchers found that biliverdin-binding serpins (BBSs) are responsible for the blue-green coloration of frogs, which helps with camouflage. BBSs alter the spectral absorbance of biliverdin and fine-tune the frog's reflectance spectra.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Childhood maltreatment may be linked to heart disease in adulthood

Research published in the journal Heart found that adults who experienced childhood maltreatment are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with women being particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed data from 157,311 participants and found associations between all types of maltreatment and increased risk of CVD in both sexes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalHeart·DateJul 13, 2020

Priming unconscious decisions

A study of 90 participants found that watching a magician perform a card trick resulted in unconscious decisions influenced by verbal and nonverbal primes. The results suggest that embedding priming within speech and gestures can shape decision-making processes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Examine narratives to end policy deadlock, boost agricultural development in Africa, economists say

Researchers argue that one-sided narratives shape the dichotomy between state-led and market-led approaches to promote agricultural development. A combination of state-led initiatives, donor-funded or market-led approaches, and input subsidy programs can work if there is evidence-based policy learning between both camps.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalWorld Development·DateJul 13, 2020

Domestic violence increased in the great recession

Emergency room visits for domestic violence incidents in California more than tripled during the Great Recession, signaling a need to prepare for similar effects during COVID-19. Black and Native American people were disproportionately affected, with hospitalization rates nearly doubling for Native Americans.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020

Green is more than skin-deep for hundreds of frog species

Hundreds of frog species have a green coloration due to a biochemical workaround that combines a virus-fighting protein with a toxic bile pigment, not relying on traditional skin chromatophores. This adaptation ensures good camouflage in leafy environments and has evolved over 40 times across different families of treefrogs.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Burrowing crabs reshaping salt marshes, with climate change to blame

A new study reveals how climate change has enabled Sesarma reticulatum to thrive in southern salt marshes, dramatically altering ecosystem dynamics and clearing grasses that hold the marshes together. This has led to increased rates of creek formation and changes in interactions between predators and prey species.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

More lonely deaths in hospitals and nursing homes from COVID

A Northwestern University study found that COVID-19 patients are 12 times more likely to die in a medical facility than patients who died from any cause in 2018. The high rate of deaths in hospitals and nursing homes highlights the need for improved end-of-life care, including access to virtual communication with families.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 13, 2020

Severely damaged human lungs can now be successfully recovered

A multidisciplinary team from Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt University has successfully recovered severely injured donor lungs using a cross-circulation platform. This method provides intrinsic biological repair mechanisms over long periods, enabling the recovery of lungs that cannot be saved by standard clinical EVLP.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020

Consumer-created social media visuals capture consumer brand perceptions

Consumer-created social media visuals are reflective of consumer brand perceptions, according to researchers who developed a new model called BrandImageNet. This model maps images to perceptual attributes of a brand, allowing firms to automatically monitor consumers' brand perceptions and evaluate their positioning strategies.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateJul 13, 2020

Bat research critical to preventing next pandemic

A recent article in Nature Reviews Microbiology calls for more research into bats' molecular biology and ecology to predict and prevent the next pandemic. Bats carry a vast number of viruses, with evidence linking different species to human outbreaks of SARS, MERS, Ebola, and other diseases.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Reviews Microbiology·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

How to strengthen New Zealand's proposed cannabis legalization and control bill

Experts argue that New Zealand's proposed cannabis legislation lacks clear criteria for minimum price and potency levels, posing challenges in reducing cannabis use over time and taxing products by THC potency. The bill needs strengthening to address these gaps and ensure a comprehensive regulatory framework.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·DateJul 13, 2020

Breast cancer deadlier in heart attack survivors

A new study published in Nature Medicine found that breast cancer patients who experience a heart attack have a higher risk of cancer recurrence, spread, and death. The research suggests that heart attacks can trigger an immune reaction that makes it easier for cancer cells to grow.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020

Study shows humans are optimists for most of life

Researchers found that people tend to become more optimistic as they age, with a significant increase during young adulthood. Despite major life events, such as divorce or illness, people generally remain positive about their future, finding ways to maintain emotional balance and focus on happiness.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Hidden in our genes: Discovering the fate of cell development

Researchers have developed a new analytical approach called single-cell higher-order testing (scHOT) that enables the study of broad changes in gene behavior within human tissue. The method has been successfully tested on mice and identified novel pairs of genes that co-vary in expression, providing insights into neurodevelopmental dis...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Methods·DateJul 13, 2020

Study links stress hormone with higher blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes

A new study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology documents a clear link between stress hormone cortisol and higher blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that sustained cortisol levels make it difficult to control blood sugar and manage the disease.

SourceMediaSource·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateJul 13, 2020

5,000 years of history of domestic cats in Central Europe

A study using isotopic analysis reveals that ancient cats in Central Europe had a synanthropic diet, suggesting close human-cat relations. The findings indicate that cats first migrated to the region from the Near East around 4,200-2,300 BC.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Researchers present concept for a new technique to study superheavy elements

The new LRC approach enables the investigation of superheavy elements with extreme sensitivity, even at low production quantities. By combining laser spectroscopy and ion mobility spectrometry, researchers can unveil element-specific emission spectra, providing valuable insights into the electronic structure of these exotic atoms.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 13, 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.

Insights into climate change during origin of dinosaurs

A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGondwana Research·DateJul 13, 2020

Research: Crop plants are taking up microplastics

A new study reveals that crop plants can absorb microplastics, contaminating edible plants and potentially entering the food chain. The research found that particles as small as 2 micrometers in size can be taken up by plant roots, raising concerns about human health and agricultural sustainability.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 13, 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.