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Science News Archive June 2020


Page 16 of 48

Life in the galaxy: maybe this is as good as it gets?

Researchers found that early-formed rocky exoplanets are more likely to develop plate tectonics, a condition favorable to life emergence. This implies that life in the galaxy might have started earlier than previously thought, with planets formed later facing less chance of supporting life.

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.

Dirac electrons come back to life in magic-angle graphene

Researchers discovered a high-energy parent state with unusual symmetry breaking in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene, leading to the revival of Dirac electrons. The system exhibits asymmetric electronic compressibility and phase transitions near integer fillings.

Which came first?

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Hebrew University of Jerusalem reconstructed ancient protein sequences that may resemble those of early life forms. They discovered a way these primitive proteins could have progressed to form living cells, with positively-charged amino acids playing a crucial role.

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.

What does the "love hormone" do? It's complicated

A study of mice in semi-natural settings reveals that oxytocin can increase aggressive behavior as well as friendliness, depending on the environment. The findings suggest a more nuanced view of oxytocin's effects and highlight the need for complex environments to translate research findings to human behavior.

Shining light on a malignant lung cancer

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) treatment targeting podoplanin-positive cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). NIR-PIT has shown promise in reducing fluorescence from cancer-tagged cells and demonstrating anti-cancer effects.

Breakthrough discovery to transform prostate cancer treatment

Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a novel formulation of the prostate cancer drug abiraterone acetate, improving its effectiveness by 40%. The new oral formulation reduces side effects and allows for a smaller dose to be effective without fasting.

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.

Measuring a tiny quasiparticle is a major step forward for semiconductor technology

Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to measure the mass of individual components in quasiparticles, which could play a crucial role in future applications of quantum computing and more efficient energy conversion. The study reveals significant differences in mass between electrons and holes in ...

Skyrmion dynamics and traverse mobility

Researchers have studied skyrmion behavior under dc and ac drives, discovering directional locking effects and enhanced transverse mobility. The study's findings could revolutionize computing and solve the mystery of ball lightning.

Fantastic muscle proteins and where to find them

Scientists at Max Delbrück Center develop mouse model to study sarcomere structure and function, identifying key proteins involved in muscle contraction and relaxation. They discover that myosin enters the Z-disc, challenging current models of sarcomere mechanics.

Polymers can fine-tune attractions between suspended nanocubes

Adding polymers to a solution containing hollow silica nanocubes can adjust their attractions, leading to stable mixtures. By varying polymer concentrations, researchers can manipulate the behavior of colloidal mixtures and explore new technologies in light sensing and manipulation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Resounding yes to message on a bottle

A global study found broad support for alcohol warning labels in seven countries, including Australia (68%) and New Zealand (67%). The study suggests that governments should introduce clear and visible health warnings on alcohol products to improve public health.

Babies with COVID-19 tend to have mild illness, mostly with fever

Infants under 90 days old who tested positive for COVID-19 mostly experience mild symptoms, with fever being the primary symptom. High viral loads were found in young infants despite mild clinical illness. The decision to admit to hospital is based on age, need for preemptive treatment and clinical assessment.

Smartphone app uses voice recordings to detect fluid in the lungs

A new smartphone app uses voice recordings to detect fluid in the lungs of heart failure patients, allowing for early intervention and potentially preventing hospitalizations. The app requires a daily 30-second recording, which is compared to a personalized 'healthy' model to identify subtle changes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cell removal as the result of a mechanical instability

A simple epithelium modelled as a layer of interconnected polyhedra reveals an inherent mechanical instability that leads to cell extrusion. Small changes in density or topology can trigger extrusion without additional forces, generating forces within the layer that direct further extrusions.

An ant-inspired approach to mathematical sampling

A team of researchers from the University of Bristol developed an ant-inspired method for mathematical sampling, which outperforms traditional methods. The study found that ants' collective behavior can be used to create a more efficient way of exploring complex probability distributions.

MMR vaccine could protect against the worst symptoms of COVID-19

Administering the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine could serve as a preventive measure to dampen septic inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection. Vaccination has no contraindications and may be especially effective for healthcare workers who can easily be exposed to COVID-19.

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.

Heat may kill more people in US than previously reported: BU and UBC study

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of British Columbia finds that thousands of US deaths may be caused by heat each year. The researchers estimate that moderate heat killed 3,309 people per year in the counties included in the study, while extreme heat killed 2,299 people annually.

New light shone on inflammatory cell death regulator

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers used advanced imaging to visualize MLKL's role in necroptosis, a form of cell death triggered by inflammation. They found that inherited variants of MLKL are connected to human inflammatory diseases and have been subject to evolutionary pressures.

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.

Teaching physics to neural networks removes 'chaos blindness'

Researchers from North Carolina State University discovered that incorporating Hamiltonian function into neural networks enables them to better predict and respond to chaos. This innovation has significant implications for improved artificial intelligence applications.

Study finds 'dark matter' DNA is vital for rice reproduction

Researchers identified a specific non-coding genomic region essential for proper development of male and female reproductive organs in rice. The discovery highlights the importance of non-coding RNAs in plant reproduction and could lead to increased productivity and stable yields of rice.

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.

New system uses wind turbines to defend the national grid from power cuts

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a 'smart' system that controls energy storage and release in wind turbines to regulate the national grid. The system uses variable speed rotors to keep pace with electricity demand, reducing the risk of power cuts and supporting widespread wind energy use.

NASA observes large Saharan dust plume over Atlantic ocean

A massive Saharan dust cloud formed from strong atmospheric updrafts, picked up by prevailing winds, and is now being blown across the Atlantic and eventually over North and South America. The dust helps build beaches in the Caribbean and fertilizes soils in the Amazon.

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.

Researchers attempt new treatment approach for blood cancer

Researchers inhibited a specific protein to decrease megakaryocyte numbers in an experimental model, showing promise for treating myeloproliferative neoplasms. The study's findings suggest a potential complementary or alternative therapy for this debilitating disease.

Matching-commitment agreements to incentivize climate action

A new IIASA-led study suggests that matching-commitment agreements can incentivize countries to cooperate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, potentially leading to a more effective international climate agreement. The research results indicate that such an agreement can successfully divert countries from a rational outcome to a new ...

Simulating wind farm development

Researchers at Stanford University have devised a model that considers the impact of interactions between developers and landowners on the success and cost of wind farms. The model highlights three actions developers could take to increase landowner acceptance and ultimately reduce costs, including community engagement meetings, prelim...

Two quantum cheshire cats exchange grins

Scientists have successfully demonstrated the unique quantum characteristic of the 'Quantum Cheshire Cat' by exchanging grins between two photons without physical contact. By applying a perturbation to the system, they were able to obtain weak values that separated each photon's polarization.

A new social role for echolocation in bats that hunt together

A recent study by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists found that search-phase echolocation calls contain information about a bat's identity, allowing them to distinguish between group members. This discovery could mean these calls serve a double function: aiding prey detection and conveying individual identities.

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.

New adjuvant successful in extending immunity against HIV

A new adjuvant, 3M-052, has been shown to induce long-lasting immunity against HIV in a pre-clinical study involving 90 rhesus monkeys. The adjuvant successfully generated vaccine-specific, long-lived bone marrow plasma cells that maintained high numbers for over one year after vaccination.

Wind beneath their wings: Albatrosses fine-tuned to wind conditions

A new study found that albatrosses wait for stronger winds to fly again and males rely more on strong winds for take-off due to their larger size. The research tracked over 300 albatrosses and combined tracking data with computer modeling to shed light on the role of wind in flight decisions.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) publishes a new policy paper condemning racism and violence against Black individuals, citing adverse individual and community health consequences. ACP offers specific solutions to increase transparency, accountability, and safer law enforcement practices.

Coronavirus: A wake-up call to strengthen the global food system

A global pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of the interconnected food system, with supply chain disruptions leading to food shortages and price spikes. A systems approach is needed to address the challenges of a globally complex food system, incorporating systemic risk and opportunities into food-related policies.

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.

Higher rates of severe COVID-19 in BAME populations remain unexplained

A new study led by Queen Mary University of London found that higher rates of severe COVID-19 infections in Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations cannot be attributed to socioeconomic or behavioral factors. The researchers used the UK Biobank cohort to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 infection and ethnicity...

The relationship between looking/listening and human emotions

A study from Toyohashi University of Technology reveals that visual perception elicits emotions across all attentional states, while auditory perception only elicits emotions when attention is paid to sounds. This suggests distinct relationships between attentional states and emotional responses to visual and auditory stimuli.

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.

Overconsumption and growth economy key drivers of environmental crises

A review by researchers identifies the link between wealth, economy, and environmental impacts, highlighting the need for structural change to address affluence. Lifestyle changes are crucial, but also, broader economic paradigm shifts are necessary to manage economies in a way that protects climate and natural resources.

Fungal pathogen disables plant defense mechanism

Researchers discovered that the white mold fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum uses two detoxification mechanisms to overcome the mustard oil bomb in plants of the cabbage family. The fungus can grow on these plants by rendering the toxic isothiocyanates harmless.

Is teleportation possible? Yes, in the quantum world

Researchers from the University of Rochester and Purdue University have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation using electrons, paving the way for future research on this technology. The technique involves entangled pairs of electrons, which can be used to transmit information in semiconductors.

Old drug standards delay new drug approvals

Researchers found that having more information about existing drugs delays new drug approvals for the same conditions. Innovative drugs took an average of 20 months to win approval when there was less information available.

Peer-reviewed journal Telemedicine Reports launching summer 2020

Telemedicine Reports will publish articles on telemedicine and telehealth advancements, offering innovative solutions for practitioners and medical centers. The journal will provide a dedicated forum for authors to share research, reviews, and practical solutions.

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.