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Science News Archive June 2020 - Page 20


Page 20 of 48

Research finds deployment affects mental health of veterans differently

A large-scale study of over 212,000 active duty Army personnel found that those with stable positive character strengths prior to deployment were less likely to struggle with mental health issues after returning home. In contrast, those with lower character strengths experienced further declines and were at higher risk for major mental...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Personality·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Centenarian study suggests living environment may be key to longevity

A Washington State University study found that living in neighborhoods with high walkability, socioeconomic status, and age diversity may contribute to longevity. Researchers analyzed data on nearly 145,000 Washingtonians who died at age 75 or older between 2011 and 2015.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 17, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Managing pain after sports medicine surgery

Researchers found that 45% of patients had low levels of pain effectively managed by a non-opioid regimen, with no reported side effects. Patients who required opioids were more likely to have anxiety/depression and higher pain scores, highlighting the potential for reduced opioid use in surgical settings.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateJun 17, 2020

Using tiny electrodes to measure electrical activity in bacteria

Researchers at Linköping University have developed an organic electrochemical transistor to study extracellular electron transfer in bacteria. They successfully detect and amplify the signal, allowing for detailed analysis of charge release by bacteria.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Women commuting during rush hour are exposed to higher levels of pollutants

A new George Mason University study reveals women commuters exposed to higher levels of pollutants during rush hour trips, with no correlation between trip length and exposure levels. The research aims to inform strategies for reducing air pollution's health effects, particularly for vulnerable populations.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJun 17, 2020

Not smoking and being socially active keys to longevity

New Zealand centenarians exhibit low rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression, and hypertension. Socially active participants showed similar patterns across age groups, while exercise improved health without significant effects on ageing.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

UConn researchers overcome a vexing problem in vaccine research

Researchers at UConn's CEVR have made a breakthrough in vaccine development for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common and difficult-to-treat pneumonia-causing pathogen. By identifying the cause of vaccine-enhanced disease (VED), they were able to develop a new vaccine formulation that eliminates safety concerns.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·Journalnpj Vaccines·DateJun 17, 2020

Brainsourcing automatically identifies human preferences

Researchers at the University of Helsinki developed a technique called 'brainsourcing' to analyse brain activity and determine preferences. The method uses artificial intelligence to classify images or recommend content based on brain activity, achieving reliable labelling results with only 12 volunteers.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·DateJun 17, 2020

New nanoparticle drug combination for atherosclerosis

Researchers at KAIST designed nanoparticles that significantly reduce cholesterol and macrophage foam cells in arteries, two key triggers of atherosclerotic plaque. The combination drug delivery therapy showed great potential for treating and preventing atherosclerosis with reduced side effects.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 17, 2020

The DNA tricks that gave us 100 different kinds of tomatoes

Researchers sequenced and compared the genomes of 100 different tomato varieties, identifying over 230,000 structural variants that underpin the vast diversity among tomatoes. These genomic variations affect flavor, yield, and other traits, providing breeders with new power to improve tomato properties.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCell·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Cellular nanosponges could soak up SARS-CoV-2

Researchers have created nanosponges that can soak up SARS-CoV-2 by mimicking its natural entry points. The nanosponges successfully neutralized the virus and prevented it from infecting cells in a lab setting, offering a potential new treatment for COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 17, 2020

A step forward in solving the reactor-neutrino flux problem

The University of Jyvaskyla's nuclear theory group, in collaboration with the EXO-200 experiment, has made significant progress in solving the long-standing reactor antineutrino anomaly. By measuring the electron spectral shape of beta decay, they have verified a theoretical hypothesis and supported the HKSS flux model.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2020

First dinosaur eggs were soft like a turtle's

Scientists have found that the first dinosaurs laid soft-shelled eggs, contradicting long-held assumptions. The study analyzed the eggs of two non-avian dinosaurs and found they resembled those of turtles in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

Researchers map out intricate processes that activate key brain molecule

Scientists have created a detailed map of the GABAB receptor, revealing its structure and new details of how it moves from inactive to active state. This discovery could help better understand GABA receptors and design better drugs to treat conditions like addiction and psychosis.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Tomato's hidden mutations revealed in study of 100 varieties

Scientists have identified long-concealed genetic mutations in tomatoes using a new technique called long-read sequencing. The analysis reveals that these mutations can alter key characteristics such as flavor and weight. By studying the impact of these mutations, researchers hope to create new tomato varieties with improved traits.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJun 17, 2020

Seeing corneal degeneration in a new light

Researchers found molecular changes in pre-symptomatic tissue of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) patients, which may lead to new screening and treatment methods. The study suggests that disease-causing changes occur decades before noticeable symptoms appear.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 17, 2020

Engineers develop new fuel cells with twice the operating voltage as hydrogen

Engineers have developed high-power direct borohydride fuel cells that can power unmanned underwater vehicles and drones with significantly lower cost. The new fuel cells operate at double the voltage of conventional hydrogen fuel cells, allowing for a smaller and more efficient design.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJun 17, 2020

Microbes might manage your cholesterol

A team of researchers has discovered a species of gut bacteria that can affect cholesterol levels in humans. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics, such as probiotics or enzyme delivery to the gut, to help people manage their blood cholesterol levels.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJun 17, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

RNA structures by the thousands

Researchers developed a high-throughput structure mapping method, Lead-Seq, to determine RNA structures in bacterial cells. The team successfully mapped the structures of thousands of RNAs simultaneously, including previously unknown 'RNA thermometers' that detect temperature changes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 17, 2020

A fair reward ensures a good memory

Research reveals that a reward should neither be too small nor too large to optimize memory encoding. The brain needs rewards to motivate us, but also challenges, and the perfect balance allows for better memory consolidation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2020

Efficient indium oxide catalysts designed for CO2hydrogenation to methanol

Researchers have designed efficient indium oxide catalysts for converting CO2 into methanol with high activity and selectivity. Theoretical modeling identified a specific facet of the catalyst as most favorable for methanol synthesis, which was confirmed by experimental results.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 17, 2020

Plants are marvelous chemists, as the gardenia's DNA shows

A new study sequenced the genome of Gardenia jasminoides and discovered how it produces crocin, a compound with medicinal properties. The research highlights an evolutionary process called tandem gene duplication that enables plants to expand their genetic toolkit and create new capabilities.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Earth's species have more in common than previously believed

An international team of researchers mapped proteins in 100 species, revealing common characteristics such as a focus on metabolism and maintaining protein balance. The study also doubled the number of experimentally confirmed proteins using advanced mass spectrometry technology.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

FSU researchers uncover new insights into Alzheimer's disease

Researchers from Florida State University have uncovered new information about how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain during sleep. The study found that the interaction between two brain regions may contribute to symptoms experienced by patients, such as impaired memory and cognition. This discovery could lead to a better understand...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 17, 2020

Call for caution for using a CAR-T immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia

The use of CAR-T immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia is being reevaluated due to concerns over its impact on healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Studies have shown that anti-CD123 CAR T-cells can inhibit normal hematopoiesis, leading to irreversible impairment in blood cell formation.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateJun 17, 2020

Observation of Excess Events in the XENON1T Dark Matter Experiment

The XENON1T experiment has observed a surprising excess of 53 events over expected backgrounds, sparking theories on potential sources such as tritium, axions, or altered neutrino properties. The solar axion hypothesis holds the most significance at 3.5 sigma, while other explanations remain consistent with data.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Liver perfusion could save 7 in 10 rejected donor livers

A major study published in Nature Communications reveals that normothermic machine perfusion assessment can recover enough livers from discarded donors to allow successful transplantation. This breakthrough technique has significant implications for the liver transplant waiting list and demand for transplants far outstrips supply.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2020

Even without concussion, athletes in contact sports may have brain changes

Researchers found subtle brain changes in female college rugby players, including microstructural changes in white matter and differences in brain connectivity. The study suggests that repetitive impacts from playing a contact sport can affect the brain, even without a diagnosed concussion.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 17, 2020

CAR T cells beyond cancer: Targeting senescence-related diseases

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering have engineered CAR T cells to recognize and eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to various debilitating diseases. The uPAR-directed approach has shown promise in mouse models of liver fibrosis and lung cancer, offering hope for new treatments.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

How Toxoplasma parasites glide so swiftly (video)

Researchers studied how Toxoplasma parasites move rapidly through tissues using high-resolution imaging and force microscopy. They found that the parasites form specific attachments with collagen fibers, resulting in contractile forces that propel them forward.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 17, 2020

Poor sleep significantly linked with teenage depression

A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found a significant link between poor sleep and teenage depression. Teenagers who experienced depression reported both poor quality and quantity of sleep, while those with anxiety had poor quality sleep only.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

Microlandscaped abrasive tools deliver perfect grinding results

Researchers at Saarland University have developed microlandscaped abrasive tools with structured surfaces made from cemented carbides, enabling precise grinding results. The tools are created using laser surface texturing and can be replicated in large numbers using electrochemical machining.

SourceSaarland University·DateJun 17, 2020

Benefits of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 are still unclear

Despite anecdotal evidence, scientists lack conclusive data on convalescent plasma's benefits for COVID-19 patients. The use of convalescent plasma has been explored in previous outbreaks, but well-designed clinical trials are now underway to test its efficacy.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 17, 2020

NIH-funded study links endometriosis to DNA changes

Research funded by the NIH has linked endometriosis to DNA changes, particularly in methylation patterns that can alter gene activity. The findings may inform new ways to diagnose and treat this condition affecting up to 10% of U.S. women.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

A proven method for stabilizing efforts to bring fusion power to Earth

Scientists at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory develop a control scheme to optimize magnetic field levels, suppressing edge localized modes (ELMs) and maximizing fusion power. The technique uses real-time control to regulate plasma stability, aiming for stable ELM suppression and high fusion performance.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateJun 17, 2020

Why the Mediterranean is a climate change hotspot

Researchers at MIT found that a combination of warmer ocean temperatures and changes in air pressure patterns contribute to the Mediterranean region's projected drought. The study could refine global climate models and provide greater certainty for water resource management and agriculture in the affected areas.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Climate·DateJun 17, 2020

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Study from Chinese city of Guangzhou provides key insights on how COVID-19 spreads in households

A recent study from Guangzhou found that people with COVID-19 can be highly infectious before symptoms appear, with a high risk of transmission among household contacts. The analysis suggests that targeted interventions such as active case finding, isolation, and quarantine could significantly reduce the spread of the virus.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJun 17, 2020

Arkansas researchers develop diversity intelligence scale for organizations

University of Arkansas researchers have developed a diversity intelligence scale that measures leaders' knowledge, education, and behaviors related to protected class employees. The scale aims to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity within organizations, reduce labor lawsuits, and prevent equal employment opportunity complaints.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·DateJun 17, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Juicy genomics

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered over 230,000 DNA differences across 100 tomato varieties, allowing for rapid identification and evaluation of genetic mutations. This breakthrough enables breeders to create new crops with desirable traits, such as increased size and flavor.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCell·DateJun 17, 2020