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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 39


Page 39 of 47

Bad E. coli we know, but good E. coli?

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that a strain of E. coli Nissle protects human cells against pathogenic E. coli bacteria. The study suggests that Nissle may be used to develop a treatment for E. coli infections, which affect millions annually.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalmBio·DateJul 7, 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis patients under treatment with methotrexate

Two studies found that methotrexate treatment does not increase the risk of chronic interstitial lung disease in RA patients, but may even delay its development. This is significant as ILD is a common complication of RA and can be life-threatening.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·DateJul 7, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Oncotarget: Clonality and antigen-specific responses shape prognostic effects

Researchers utilized a computational method to analyze the CDR3 regions of T-cell receptors from high-grade serous ovarian cancers. The study found that patients with low T-cell infiltration but diverse or focused repertoires had clinical outcomes similar to highly-infiltrated tumors. The authors identified the degree of divergence bet...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateJul 7, 2020

Machine learning helps grow artificial organs

Researchers developed a neural network capable of recognizing retinal tissues during differentiation without modifying cells. The method allows for growing retinal tissue for developing cell replacement therapies to treat blindness and conducting research into new drugs.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateJul 7, 2020

OU researcher receives Department of Defense Young Faculty Award

Justin Metcalf, OU assistant professor, received a Young Faculty Award from DARPA to explore how the electromagnetic spectrum has become critically congested. His research aims to develop techniques for radar and communications systems to share frequency bands, enabling defense and commercial users to dynamically share unlicensed bands.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateJul 7, 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.

Agriculture - a climate villain? Maybe not!

Researchers argue that agriculture's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is overstated and may even have a net positive effect on the climate. Per Frankelius proposes seven measures to reduce emissions while advancing sustainable agriculture.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJul 7, 2020

Insufficient sleep harms children's mental health

A University of Houston study found that insufficient sleep alters children's emotional health, particularly in response to positive emotions. The research highlights the importance of assessing and prioritizing healthy sleep habits for emotionally vulnerable children.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 7, 2020

Strange bedfellows

Caterpillars of the Lycaenidae family have evolved to associate with ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for sugary secretions. These associations are driven by chemical signals and rewards, allowing caterpillars to minimize energetic costs while maximizing protection.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 7, 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.

Addressing the toxicity of cancer treatment costs

A new patient-focused intervention, DISCO App, has been developed to improve patient-provider treatment cost discussions and related patient outcomes. The five-year grant-funded study will evaluate the effectiveness of the app in reducing financial toxicity among cancer patients.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateJul 7, 2020

Mental health benefits of parks dimmed by safety concerns

A new NYU study found that exercising in nearby parks reduces anxiety and depression, but safety concerns prevent many from using them. The researchers suggest improving park lighting, programs, and community engagement to make parks feel safer.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 7, 2020

Flu in early life determines our susceptibility to future infections

A new study published in eLife found that early exposure to the flu virus can reduce the risk of future infections, particularly with the same subtype. The study also showed that the effectiveness of flu vaccines varies with age and birth year, suggesting that early exposure plays a role in shaping immune responses.

SourceeLife·DateJul 7, 2020

Study reveals science behind traditional mezcal-making technique

Researchers found that a phenomenon known as the Marangoni effect helps mezcal bubbles linger longer when alcohol content is around 50%, allowing artisans to determine perfect distillation levels. The study also reveals new fundamental details about bubble lifetimes on liquid surfaces.

SourceBrown University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 7, 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.

On-chip spin-Hall nanograting for simultaneously detecting phase and polarization singularities

Researchers developed an on-chip plasmonic spin-Hall nanograting to detect both phase and polarization singularities of incident beams. The structure directionally couples different positions depending on the polarization and topological charge of the beam, enabling rapid detection with high resolution.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJul 7, 2020

New collection of stars, not born in our galaxy, discovered in Milky Way

Researchers from Caltech and institutions like Northwestern University used deep learning and supercomputing to identify Nyx, a product of a long-ago galaxy merger. The discovery provides the first indication that a dwarf galaxy merged with the Milky Way disk.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 7, 2020

Limitations of super-resolution microscopy overcome

Researchers have overcome the limitation of super-resolution microscopy by combining dSTORM and expansion microscopy, achieving a distance error reduction to just five nanometers. This enables fluorescence imaging with molecular resolution for the first time, allowing detailed insights into molecular function and architecture.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2020
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.

A chemical cocktail of air pollution in Beijing, China during COVID-19 outbreak

A recent study by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics found that Beijing's air quality did not improve as expected during the COVID-19 lockdown, with secondary aerosol species showing only small changes. The research highlights a challenge for mitigating secondary air pollution in regions with high concentrations of gaseous precursors.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 7, 2020

Medicare's race, ethnic data often undercounts minority populations, study finds

A Rutgers study found that Medicare beneficiaries' self-reported data is more accurate than administrative data sources in tracking minority populations. In 19 states, Hispanic beneficiaries were misclassified at a rate of 20%, while American and Alaskan Native beneficiaries were misclassified in over 80% of states.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateJul 7, 2020

Among older adults, statin use tied to decreased risk of death

A retrospective analysis of US veterans aged 75 and older found statin use associated with a 25% lower risk of death from any cause. The study also showed benefits for cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, particularly in black participants.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateJul 7, 2020

Great expectations: Patients overestimate success in IVF

A prospective study of 69 couples found that female partners overestimated their IVF live birth rates by 34%, while male partners expected a 54% higher rate. The study highlights the need for clinics to set realistic expectations and provide individualized prognosis to avoid disappointment.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 7, 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.

Targeted taxes and school lunch policies benefit low-income populations

Two studies find that targeted taxes on sweetened beverages and strengthened nutritional standards in schools significantly reduce the purchase of these drinks among low-income children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act also reduces childhood obesity risk among those living in poverty.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJul 7, 2020

Childhood obesity linked to poor heart health signs at 11-12 years

A new study published in Pediatrics found that toddlers who were obese or overweight showed signs of cardiovascular disease by age 11-12. The study, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, highlighted the need for early intervention to prevent obesity-related problems with heart health.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 7, 2020

Shock-dissipating fractal cubes could forge high-tech armor

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed 3D printed fractal cubes with closely spaced voids that dissipate shockwaves five times better than solid cubes. The innovative design could lead to new types of lightweight armor and structural materials effective against explosions and impacts.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalAIP Advances·DateJul 7, 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.

Iodine exposure in the NICU may lead to decrease in thyroid function, NIH study suggests

A new NIH study found that infants exposed to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developing congenital hypothyroidism. Infants with this condition often require thyroid hormone therapy within four weeks of birth, and permanent intellectual disability may result if treatment is delayed.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJul 7, 2020

Microplastic pollution harms lobster larvae, study finds

Researchers found that microplastic fibers impact lobster larvae's feeding and respiration. Young lobsters accumulate fibers under their shells, while older larvae ingest particles but keep them in their digestive systems.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateJul 7, 2020

Study: Surgical delay associated with increased risk in some gastrointestinal malignancies

A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery·DateJul 7, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

COVID-19 in patients who have received kidney transplants or are undergoing dialysis

Two new studies investigate COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients, finding most don't need hospitalization, and patients on dialysis may experience different symptoms. Additionally, another study reveals distinct clinical features of dialysis patients with COVID-19, highlighting the need for more research and guidance.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 7, 2020

Milk lipids follow the evolution of mammals

Researchers discovered that human milk contains a mix of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, differing from bovids and primates. The study suggests that breast milk composition is evolving to meet the growing brain's needs, with increased polyunsaturated fatty acid content in human milk.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJul 7, 2020

Neurons show distinct styles as they interact with the same muscle partner

Researchers have discovered that neurons interact differently with the same muscle partner, revealing a previously unappreciated diversity in their propensity to respond to changes. The findings suggest that these subclasses of neurons exhibit distinct types of plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·DateJul 7, 2020

1.5 billion people will depend on water from mountains

A study led by the University of Zurich found that 1.5 billion people will strongly depend on mountain water resources by mid-21st century, up from 7% in the 1960s. Sustainable development and climate action are crucial to ensure mountain areas continue to supply water as 'water towers'.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 7, 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.

Long-acting injectable form of HIV prevention outperforms daily pill in NIH study

A new long-acting injectable form of PrEP containing cabotegravir outperformed a daily oral Truvada regimen in preventing HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study found that the injectable PrEP had a superior protective effect, with a 66% lower incidence rate compared to the daily pill.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJul 7, 2020

The study of lysosomal function during cell division and chromosomal instability

Researchers discovered that lysosomes are active during mitosis and selectively degrade specific proteins, leading to a toroidal nucleus morphology that may indicate chromosomal instability. This finding provides a new perspective on the connection between autophagy and cell division in cancer and other diseases.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalAutophagy·DateJul 7, 2020

Antioxidants in corn line could aid human IBD protection, therapy

Researchers discovered that flavonoids from a specific corn line reduced inflammation in mice with an inflammatory-bowel-disease-like condition. The study suggests that flavonoid-rich corn may provide protective effects on human health, offering a promising new approach to treating chronic intestinal disease.

SourcePenn State·JournalNutrients·DateJul 7, 2020

Portable system boosts laser precision, at room temperature

Physicists at MIT have designed a quantum light squeezer that reduces quantum noise in lasers by 15% at room temperature. The system uses an optical cavity with two mirrors to engineer the light exiting the cavity, allowing for more precise measurements in quantum computing and gravitational-wave detection.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 7, 2020

Quantum classifiers with tailored quantum kernel?

A new quantum classifier introduces a tailored quantum kernel, outperforming AI technology and enhancing classification tasks with small datasets. The method exploits the quantum advantage in finding non-linear features, leading to significant improvements.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateJul 7, 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.

As teens delay driver licensing, they miss key safety instruction

A Yale University study found that teens delaying driver licensure are missing critical safety training, including nighttime driving restrictions and passenger limits. This can lead to a higher risk of crashes and fatalities among vulnerable populations.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 7, 2020

Blocking cholesterol storage could stop growth of pancreatic tumors

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that interfering with cholesterol storage can stop pancreatic cancer cell growth in mice and lab-grown pancreas models. The study suggests a new strategy for treating deadly disease by targeting an enzyme called SOAT1.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 7, 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.

Excitation of robust materials

Researchers at Kiel University have observed rapid electronic changes in tungsten ditelluride using laser pulses, which could enable ultra-fast optoelectronic switches. The team used time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to visualize the changes in the material's electronic structure, revealing new insights into its unusual properties.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2020

Repurposing public health systems to decode COVID-19

Researchers have successfully linked UK public health monitoring systems with the UK Biobank, enabling analysis of genetic and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19. The resulting pooled data can provide near-to-real-time insights into SARS-CoV-2 spread, testing, and disease characteristics.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobial Genomics·DateJul 7, 2020

Protein linked to cancer acts as a viscous glue in cell division

New research published in Developmental Cell shows that an overabundance of protein PRC1 disrupts genome errors linked to cancer. The protein acts like a viscous glue during cell division, precisely controlling the speed at which two sets of DNA are separated as a single cell divides.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 7, 2020

'Growing' active sites on quantum dots for robust H2photogeneration

Chinese researchers successfully integrated non-noble metal ions into semiconductor quantum dots, creating ultra-small nanocrystals with integrated light absorber, protecting layer and active site. The loading of metal ions enables the efficient evolution of hydrogen from water through photocatalysis.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMatter·DateJul 7, 2020

Dopamine neurons mull over your options

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that dopamine neurons represent different parts of the decision-making process, including both evaluation and choice. The study suggests that these neurons send decision signals to other brain areas, ultimately influencing muscle action and informing choices in everyday life.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 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.

Curtin study could rewrite Earth's history

Researchers from Curtin University have found evidence that the Earth's first continents were not formed by subduction in a modern-like plate tectonics environment. The team measured iron and zinc isotopes in rocks sourced from central Siberia and South Africa, suggesting an alternative formation process.

SourceCurtin University·JournalGeology·DateJul 7, 2020

Scientists create new device to light up the way for quantum technologies

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed a novel device that enables controlled single photon emission from quantum dots, a crucial component in quantum computing and communications. This breakthrough allows for entangled states of pairs of quantum dots, paving the way for significant advancements in quantum technologies.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 7, 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.

Princeton chemists resolve origin of perovskite instability

Researchers at Princeton University have discovered that the source of thermodynamic instability in cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) is the 'rattling' behavior of the inorganic cesium atom within its crystal structure. This discovery could help improve the stability and efficiency of solar cells made from this material.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 7, 2020

The complex relationship between deforestation and diet diversity in the Amazon

A study in Peru found that shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is associated with less diverse diets and reduced access to food among local communities. The expansion of cash crops like palm oil and cocoa has led to simplified production systems and decreased agricultural biodiversity.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalFood Security·DateJul 7, 2020

MU researcher awarded $4 million US Department of Education grant

A University of Missouri researcher has received a $4 million grant to develop an intervention that improves reading comprehension and social studies knowledge for struggling middle school students. The five-year project will be implemented in schools across Missouri, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., and aims to create be...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateJul 7, 2020