Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive June 2020


Page 38 of 48

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.

Are kidney transplant patients at higher risk? The European experience

A recent analysis found that kidney transplant patients are at a higher risk of death from COVID-19, with advanced age being the most significant factor. The study, conducted on ERACODA database, showed that 21% of kidney transplant recipients died within 28 days, compared to 25% of dialysis patients.

Cracking open the proton

The COMPASS experiment at CERN is analyzing the proton's inner structure using particle collisions and complex algorithms. The team confirmed a theoretically expected sign change in the Sivers function, which relates to quark orbital motion inside the proton.

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.

Early-life education improves memory in old age -- Especially for women

A study published in the journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition found that children who attend school for longer periods have better memory abilities in old age, particularly for women. More years of early-life education counteract age-related memory losses, suggesting a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.

Physicists create quantum-inspired optical sensor

Researchers developed an advanced quantum algorithm for measuring physical quantities using simple optical tools, exceeding the shot noise limit and achieving Heisenberg-limited sensitivity. This breakthrough enables affordable and effective platforms for moderate-scale quantum measurements and computations.

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.

France has won the R-number battle, but the COVID war rages on

A new study confirms lockdown restrictions reduced COVID-19 transmission in France, but a second wave is possible due to low herd immunity. The R-number, a key measure of disease transmission, fell from 3.2 to 0.47, highlighting the effectiveness of containment efforts.

Protecting the neuronal architecture

Heidelberg researchers demonstrate that restoring VEGFD levels can preserve dendritic arborisation and reduce brain damage after a stroke. A treatment using recombinant VEGFD and nose drops achieved similar results in mouse models.

Psychedelic drug psilocybin tamps down brain's ego center

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that psilocybin reduces neural activity in the claustrum by 15% to 30%, associated with stronger subjective effects. The study also showed changes in how the claustrum communicates with other brain regions involved in hearing, attention, and memory.

Genomic surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the Philippines established

The study mapped bacterial resistance to last-line antibiotics in the Philippines, enabling better tracking of resistant bacteria and controlling outbreaks. The genomic capacity has enhanced national infection control efforts and improved understanding of antimicrobial resistance at local, national, and international scales.

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.

EULAR 2020: Thrombosis risk particularly high for people suffering

Patients with high disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism. Treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) such as TNF inhibitors can reduce this risk by nearly half compared to conventional synthetic drugs.

NASA analyzes Cristobal, the big rainmaker

NASA's Aqua satellite gathered infrared imagery and cloud top temperature data on Tropical Depression Cristobal, revealing areas of powerful thunderstorms with potential for heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to strengthen later today and regain tropical storm strength in the next 48 hours.

DNA increases our understanding of contact between Stone Age cultures

Researchers analyzed DNA from 25 Stone Age individuals and found that those buried in typical Pitted Ware culture graves were genetically similar to earlier Scandinavian hunter-gatherers. The presence of Battle Axe culture influences in some graves suggested trade and cultural exchange between the groups, rather than genetic migration.

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.

New technique for engineering living materials and patterns

Scientists at the University of Warwick created a method called MeniFluidics to control cellular patterns, enabling the creation of arbitrary patterns and opening doors for tissue engineering and bio-art. This breakthrough could lead to innovations in antibiotic resistance and biofouling prevention.

Scientists iron out the physics of wrinkling

Researchers from OIST discovered that curvature at material edges affects wrinkling, with larger windows reducing wrinkles and strain. A theoretical model was developed to explain findings, which could aid in designing devices with functional wrinkles or reduced wrinkling.

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.

To think like a dinosaur

Palaeontologists from St Petersburg University have created the most detailed virtual 3D-model of the endocranial cast and blood vessels of the head of an ankylosaurian. They found that ankylosaurs had a unique cooling system, an extremely developed sense of smell, and could hear low-frequency sounds.

New discovery advances optical microscopy

A new discovery enables researchers to directly visualize unlabeled nanoscale objects with deep sub-wavelength separations, advancing the field of optical microscopy. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications in semiconductor wafer inspection, nanoparticle sensing, material characterization, and biosensing.

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.

Scientists develop unique polymer coating to tackle harmful fungi

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have created a novel solution to combat fungi using a non-toxic polymer coating that reduces attachment of fungal pathogens. The coating, made from (meth)acrylate polymers, has shown up to 100% reduction in fungal growth on various surfaces.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

T cell immunity in the elderly

Researchers found that T cells increase their metabolism to survive, contradicting previous assumptions about immune function. The study suggests that targeted interventions like vaccines or immunotherapies could boost T cell immunity in the elderly.

Creating hairy human skin: Not as easy as you think

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital successfully recreate human skin with hair, nerves, and fat using a novel culture technique. The breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize wound treatment, burn care, and cosmetics testing, as well as aid in the development of new treatments for diseases such as Merkel cell carcinoma.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Elsevier announces support for World Environment Day 2020

Elsevier has launched a free access special issue of curated content focused on biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and protecting the planet. The collection features over 60 carefully selected journal articles and book chapters supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Can deep water masses in the Mediterranean cross the Sicily Strait?

A new study reveals that deep water masses in the eastern Mediterranean can reach up to 70% of the western basin, contradicting classic hypotheses. The research uses rare earth elements and neodymium isotopes as conservative tracers to reconstruct the oceanographic structure of the Mediterranean basins.

Protecting the kidneys from failing

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a common cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, which may progress to end-stage renal disease. Researchers found that the protein MafB plays a protective role in FSGS, with increased levels of MafB reducing kidney damage and nephrotic syndrome.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Cord blood for stem cell transplant may outperform matched sibling donor

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows cord blood transplants to be comparable to matched sibling donors in terms of survival outcomes, with significantly fewer complications due to chronic graft-versus-host disease. Cord blood patients also experienced a lower rate of relapse in certain populations.

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.

Study identifies potential approach to treat patients with severe COVID-19

Researchers found that blocking Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein with acalabrutinib reduced inflammation and improved breathing in patients with severe COVID-19. The study suggests a potential new treatment approach for hospitalized patients with low blood-oxygen levels and evidence of inflammation.

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 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine explores the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities, highlighting existing disparities in healthcare access and treatment. The authors offer a resilience approach to addressing these disparities, drawing parallels with the 1918 influenza pandemic.

COVID-19 mortality alarmingly high in dialysis patients

A study of COVID-19 cases among dialysis patients in Spain found a significantly higher rate of infection and mortality compared to the general population. The mortality rate among these patients was found to be influenced by factors such as age, lymphopenia, and elevated LDH levels.