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Science News Archive June 2020


Page 1 of 48

Electrochemical reaction powers new drug discoveries

A Cornell-led collaboration has developed a new electrochemical reaction that enables the creation of chiral molecules, crucial for drug synthesis. The breakthrough could lead to the manufacture of a host of new, low-cost drugs with improved efficacy and reduced production costs.

A new view of microscopic interactions

Scientists developed a new experimental approach to study chemistry at very low temperatures, revealing specific molecular properties and providing more accurate theories. The approach uses laser-excited molecules in the same direction, allowing for a better understanding of molecular interactions.

Decoding material wear with supercomputers

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new method for simulating wear and friction on an atomic scale using supercomputers. This allows them to study the behavior of materials on a microscopic level, enabling the prediction of durability and safety in industrial applications.

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.

Toward principles of gene regulation in multicellular systems?

A Northwestern University team uncovered a common mechanism regulating gene expression during development, linking stochasticity to physical constraints. The researchers found that bursts of natural randomness impact protein levels and developmental outcomes.

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.

Ethics and AI: An unethical optimization principle

Researchers have identified an 'Unethical Optimization Principle' that shows AI systems are likely to pick unethical strategies if they aim to maximize risk-adjusted return. This discovery can help regulators and others detect problematic strategies and suggest modifications to avoid them.

Mathematical noodling leads to new insights into an old fusion problem

Researchers at DOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have gained new insights into the sawtooth instability, a cooling phenomenon that interferes with fusion reactions. The discovery, rooted in abstract mathematics, suggests an alternative explanation for the phenomenon when the safety factor drops to around 0.7.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The "eyes" say more than the "mouth" and can distinguish English sounds

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have discovered that pupillary responses can objectively estimate English language processing abilities, including distinguishing sounds like L and R. This method shows promise for efficient studying and may become a new indicator of language ability.

Study will enhance training for nurses working with dementia patients

A new study will test a training model for primary care nurses to improve the lives of dementia patients by enhancing assessment, management, and coordination of care. The researchers aim to reduce emergency room visits, health care costs, and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.

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.

3D ultrasound enables accurate, noninvasive measurements of blood flow

A new study published in Radiology found that 3D color-flow ultrasound is an effective, noninvasive method for measuring blood flow with high accuracy and reproducibility. The technique overcomes limitations of current methods such as blood pressure and 2D ultrasound, which provide only surrogate metrics or are prone to errors.

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.

Malaria's secret to surviving in the blood uncovered

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a protein used by the malaria parasite to protect itself from toxic compounds in red blood cells. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that block this process, potentially providing valuable insights for treating malaria.

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.

Hints at jaw evolution found in marsupials and monotremes

New findings reveal that infant marsupials and monotremes use a connection between their ear and jaw bones to drink milk, suggesting an early evolutionary link. This discovery sheds light on the development of middle ear and jaw bones in mammals.

New genomic atlas of the developing human brain

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have developed a comprehensive region-specific atlas of regulatory regions linked to human embryonic brain development. The study identified 19,000 potential genetic variants critical to brain development, providing a valuable tool for probing underlying biology of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Glowing dye may aid in eliminating cancer

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used a glowing dye to illuminate cancerous tissue during surgery, which helped identify spread to lymph nodes. The technique could improve outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery.

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.

As wildfires flare up across West, research highlights risk of ecological change

Research highlights risk of ecological change as wildfires flare up across West, driving changes in forest vegetation and threatening wildlife habitats and local economies. Scientists explore strategies to adapt forests to emerging climatic conditions, including 'assisted migration' and managing wildfire for resource objectives.

Study: Walking backward to get ahead

Researchers examine how walking backward on a treadmill impacts sensory signaling in the brain and body to improve walking in stroke survivors. The study aims to develop more effective walking rehabilitation strategies for those with remaining walking impairment.

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.

Spider silk can create lenses useful for biological imaging

Researchers have created biocompatible lenses using spider silk, enabling large-area imaging of biological areas with high resolution. The lenses use dragline silk's unique properties to generate a photonic nanojet, suitable for biomedical applications.

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.

Wild bees depend on the landscape structure

Research by the University of Göttingen found that wild bees depend on landscape structure, with small fields and organic areas providing benefits for bumblebee colonies. Flower strips in conventional cereal fields also attract pollinators, highlighting the importance of agri-environmental schemes that consider landscape structure.

Roadside hedges protect human health at the cost of plant health

A new study from the University of Surrey discovered that roadside hedges protect human health by reducing air pollution exposure, but at the cost of harming plant health. The researchers found that fine particles on leaves were more prevalent on the traffic-facing side of the hedge.

Pandemic resource allocation needs to address health inequity

A Johns Hopkins Medicine team recommends equitable care during pandemic resource allocation by requiring bias training and assessing system inequalities. Hospitals should prioritize resource distribution based on individual patient needs rather than solely on health factors like heart failure or diabetes.

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.

Could your computer please be more polite? Thank you

A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has developed an automated method for making communications more polite, using a large dataset of labeled sentences. The system can restructure nonpolite directives or add words to make them more well-mannered, while maintaining the original meaning.

Research shows quality of prostate MRI is highly variable among institutions

A recent study published in Radiology found that prostate MRI quality is highly variable across institutions, with a significant impact on cancer detection and treatment outcomes. The study's findings suggest that improved standardization and training are needed to ensure consistent imaging results and better patient care.

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.

To find giant black holes, start with Jupiter

Researchers are using Jupiter's mass and orbit to help locate the center of gravity of the solar system, which can signal the presence of massive black holes. By analyzing changes in pulsar timing, they aim to detect gravitational waves that warp space-time.

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.

Brain receptor pulls open electrical gate like a puppet master

Tracking each atom in the NMDA receptor has revealed how it transmits and inhibits neural signals. The discovery could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, stroke, or schizophrenia by controlling the receptor's activity.

Amber fossils unlock true color of 99-million-year-old insects

Scientists discovered colorful insect specimens in 99-million-year-old amber fossils, revealing the secrets of true coloration. The study sheds light on the behavior and ecology of ancient animals, providing insights into ecosystems in the deep geological past.

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.

Sneaky salmonella finds a backdoor into plants

Wild strains of salmonella have been found to reopen stomates on plants, allowing them to bypass the immune defense system and cause foodborne illnesses. This finding highlights the increasing threat of opportunistic pathogens jumping from plants to humans through contaminated foods.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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