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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 8


Page 8 of 47

Make your own greenhouse gas logger

Researchers at Linköping University developed a simple and cost-efficient logger for measuring greenhouse gases, including methane. The open-source Arduino-based system provides data on methane levels, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, making it easier to monitor emissions locally and globally.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBiogeosciences·DateJul 27, 2020

Invisible barriers cut down on cheating

A new study published in PNAS found that simple environmental cues, such as a see-through partition or an imaginary barrier, can significantly reduce cheating in children. The researchers used four experiments with over 350 children aged 5-6 years old and demonstrated that just the idea of a barrier discouraged cheating.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

New depth map of the Arctic Ocean

The IBCAO 4.0 bathymetric chart provides a detailed map of the Arctic Ocean with higher and better resolution data than previous versions. The new chart reveals a great variety of glacial origins and helps to reconstruct geological processes in arctic latitudes.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScientific Data·DateJul 27, 2020

Grape pips reveal collapse of ancient economy in the grip of plague and climate change

A study published in PNAS reveals a significant economic downturn in the Byzantine Empire's arid Negev desert during a pandemic in the mid-6th century CE. The research analyzed seeds found in ancient trash mounds, including grape pips, which show a high frequency, suggesting an increase in viticulture and wine export.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

Water molecules are gold for nanocatalysis

Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered that water molecules facilitate oxygen dissociation in aqueous solutions, reducing energy costs by 25%. This breakthrough helps explain the high catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles on metal oxides for selective oxidation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalACS Catalysis·DateJul 27, 2020

RNA biology provides the key to cell identity and health

Two studies published in Genome Research provide new insights into the core regulatory networks governing cell types across different vertebrate species. The research highlights the importance of understanding RNA expression in establishing cell function, morphology, and behavior. Long non-coding RNAs were found to affect cell growth a...

SourceRIKEN·JournalGenome Research·DateJul 27, 2020

Hydrogel mimics human brain with memorizing and forgetting ability

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a hydrogel that mimics the human brain's dynamic memory function, encoding information that fades with time depending on intensity. The hydrogel's memory system can be programmed by temperature and learning time, allowing for stable memory establishment and controlled forgetting processes.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

The solar cell you can print

The £6 million grant will advance organic and perovskite solar cells into new applications, including 5G, the Internet of Things, and zero-carbon buildings. The project aims to develop low-cost manufacturing methods and prototypes to showcase their potential in these areas.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A team of bioethicists from Johns Hopkins University emphasizes the need for informed consent in public health activities, including those related to COVID-19. The authors suggest that good governance of public health surveillance infrastructure is crucial to maintain public trust and prevent research abuses.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 27, 2020

Safe work protocols can increase the likelihood the business will fail

New research in INFORMS journal Management Science suggests that organizations with safe workplaces have lower odds of survival. Employers who don't prioritize worker safety may gain an economic advantage by reducing costs and increasing productivity. The study analyzed data from 100,000 organizations across 25 years in Oregon.