Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive June 2020


Page 17 of 48

Ancient societies hold lessons for modern cities

A study published in Science Advances finds that as ancient Pueblo villages grew in size, their residents' per capita production of food and goods increased. This suggests that busy streets may lead to better-off citizens. The research provides a lesson for modern cities on the benefits of social connection and urbanization.

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.

How a historic drought led to higher power costs and emissions

A study found that droughts can increase power costs and pollution linked to hydropower losses, even with increased renewable energy. The analysis of the 2012-2016 California drought revealed a moderate impact on electricity prices but also highlighted the importance of flexible generation sources during drought years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why businesses should offer free trials to existing customers

A new study found that offering free trials to existing customers can increase sales, particularly among higher data usage customers. Including a sharing feature in the offer also boosts impact. This approach leverages the 'power of sharing' and can help businesses retain customers while growing future sales.

Patient data can predict life expectancy for older adults with diabetes

A new study from Veterans Affairs Research Communications used predictive modeling techniques on over 275,000 patients with diabetes to identify factors that impact mortality. The results placed patients in three time frames for expected death and provide a framework for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions.

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.

A novel radioisotope therapy for children with neuroblastoma

Researchers found high-dose131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine treatment improved outcomes in refractory high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The study discovered a 42% event-free survival rate at 1 year and 16% at 5 years, with overall survival rates of 58% at 1 year and 42% at 5 years.

Renewed hope for treatment of pain and depression

Researchers developed LIH383, a novel molecule targeting ACKR3, which modulates natural painkilling and antidepressant properties by reducing opioid peptide levels. This discovery offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as cancer treatment.

Graphene smart textiles developed for heat adaptive clothing

Researchers from The University of Manchester created a prototype garment that can lower the body temperature in hot climates using graphene's remarkable thermal properties. The technology also opens up new possibilities for interactive infrared displays and covert communication on textile.

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.

Study links financial hardship to more ED visits; less preventive care

A new study by American Cancer Society finds that cancer survivors experiencing higher medical and nonmedical financial hardships are more likely to visit the emergency department, receive less preventive care, and have worse self-rated health. The study highlights the growing healthcare costs and their impact on worsening health dispa...

US cities with pro sports see more flu deaths

A West Virginia University-led study found a significant increase in seasonal flu deaths in US cities with professional sports teams. Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discovered that flu mortality rates rose by 5-24% during pro sports seasons, with the largest jump observed in NHL games.

Viruses can steal our genetic code to create new human-virus genes

A study published in Cell reveals that viruses can produce previously undetected proteins by stitching together host and viral sequences, altering the course of viral infection. These new proteins could be exploited for vaccine purposes and may hold key to understanding viral virulence.

Simulating cooperation in local communities

Researchers introduced a new system to improve cooperation among goods and service providers in rural villages, by assigning reputation scores and rewarding responsible welfare usage. The study's findings suggest that the payoff transfer mechanism can optimize public cooperation without significant costs.

Much improved climate predictions from statistical mechanics

A new study using statistical mechanics improves climate prediction accuracy for IPCC-class models, bridging gap between scenarios and models. This approach enables real-time scenario construction and facilitates the assessment of tipping points, a crucial aspect of understanding climate change.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Design, analyses of oncology trials during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the design and analysis of oncology trials, presenting challenges for cancer researchers and clinicians. As a result, cancer treatment options and patient care have been disrupted, highlighting the need for new strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Hubble provides holistic view of stars gone haywire

Researchers have found unprecedented levels of complexity and rapid changes in jets and gas bubbles blasting off from the centers of two young planetary nebulas. Hubble's multi-wavelength observations are helping to converge on an understanding of the mechanisms underlying these chaotic fireworks.

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.

Natural fluid injections triggered Cahuilla earthquake swarm

A four-year-long earthquake swarm near Cahuilla, California was driven by a naturally occurring injection of underground fluids, revealing complex conditions for fluid flow within the fault zone. The study provides new insights into seismic processes and brings closer concrete explanations for how earthquake swarms start and terminate.

New study: Publicizing OSHA violations increases compliance

A Duke researcher found that publicizing OSHA violations through press releases leads to a significant improvement in compliance among nearby facilities, with effects persisting up to 31 miles away. The study suggests that this approach can be an effective tool for regulatory agencies to promote safety and health in the workplace.

Predicting side effects

A new open-source machine learning tool identifies proteins associated with drug side effects, offering insights into how the human body responds to drug compounds. The algorithm has generated 221 associations between individual proteins and specific adverse drug reactions.

Researchers create a photographic film of a molecular switch

A European research team developed a photographic film at the atomic level to track the motion of a molecular building block. The result shows a light-controlled 'pedalo-type motion', moving forward and backward, which could help control material properties with molecular switches.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Forest loss escalates biodiversity change

New international research reveals that forest cover loss amplifies both gains and losses in global biodiversity. The study, spanning 150 years and over 6,000 locations, finds that forests support around 80% of all land species, with some species declining rapidly after forest loss.

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through testing

Testing is vital to identify cases, track superspreading events, and spot previously infected individuals. Innovative approaches are helping to overcome bottlenecks in testing efforts, with the US still struggling to match countries like New Zealand and South Korea.

Quantum rings in the hold of laser light

Researchers from the Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences successfully create tensile and inhomogeneous quantum rings in a controlled manner. The work involves trapping ultracold atoms in optical lattices and modifying interaction between atoms to mimic superconductors.

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.

Know the risks of investing in forests

Researchers warn that forests can be vulnerable to climate change, including fire, drought, and insect damage, which can undermine the effectiveness of forest-based natural climate solutions. Scientists must focus on assessing forest climate risks and sharing data with policymakers to inform climate strategies.

How chandelier cells light up the brain

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding chandelier cells, which are key regulators of brain signaling. Abnormalities in these cells have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, and studying them may provide insights into disease mechanisms.

Addressing the persistent gender gaps in some STEM pursuits

Despite efforts to equalize gender representation in STEM fields, persistent gaps remain, particularly in Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science. Low-achieving men dominate these fields, while high-achieving women are discouraged from entering.

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.

Researchers take a bloody good look at the medicinal leech genome

The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of blood thinners in leech saliva, shedding light on their potential use in hospital settings. The leech genome sequence offers critical insight into the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches and may revolutionize the treatment of certain medical conditions.

Targeting stem cells: The path to curing poor-prognosis leukaemia

Children's Cancer Institute researchers have discovered a new approach to treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) by targeting leukemia stem cells. The therapy disrupts the ability of these cells to self-renew, markedly reducing leukaemia amounts and preventing new cells from growing.

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.

No disadvantages to having kids early

A recent NTNU study on wild boars in France reveals that rapid growth and early maturity may not come at a cost. In fact, faster-growing males had lower mortality rates due to hunting and natural causes, while females showed no significant impact from early reproduction.

Stroke survival rates worse in rural areas, study says

Rural patients receive lower quality care and have higher mortality rates due to limited access to advanced stroke treatments. The analysis found that hospital capabilities for delivering advanced stroke care are lower in rural areas, resulting in substantially higher mortality rates.

Researchers find a new therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer

A new study has discovered a direct link between mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the KRAS oncogene, driving the formation of pancreatic cancer. The research provides insight into the mechanism that regulates cell activity, offering potential therapeutic targets for future development.

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.

Laser technology: The Turbulence and the Comb

A team of scientists has successfully produced a special type of light called a frequency comb, which consists of different light frequencies arranged at regular distances. The breakthrough uses circular quantum cascade lasers and turbulence to create the ordered light, contradicting current laser theory.

Stirling-led project could be key in tackling 'snail fever'

A Stirling-led project aims to reduce the prevalence of schistosomiasis, a debilitating infection affecting 200 million people worldwide. By boosting native snail predators through aquaculture, researchers hope to control snail populations and limit the spread of the disease.

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.

Decide now or wait for something better?

Researchers developed a mathematical model to describe human behavior in various scenarios, helping to understand decision-making. The study found that people tend to use a linear threshold model, increasing the price they're willing to pay over time.

Yale scientists solve a thorny problem

Researchers found that thorns in citrus plants arise from stem cells, which undergo a programmed arrest to create the sharp pointy end. This discovery may lead to safer fruit harvesting and more fruitful orchards.

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.

Simple oral health steps help improve elite athletes' performance

A study led by University College London found that elite athletes who adopted simple oral health measures reported reduced negative effects on performance related to poor oral health. The behaviour change programme improved oral health behaviours and reduced symptoms of gum inflammation, leading to improved sporting performance.