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Science News Archive June 2020 - Page 35


Page 35 of 48

Integrating nanomaterial with light-absorbing molecule powers hydrogen production from water and sun

Researchers have developed a new photocatalyst that can generate hydrogen from water with high efficiency, using nanoscale metal oxide sheets and a ruthenium dye molecule. The material works under visible light, the main component of sunlight, and has a record-breaking turnover frequency and external quantum yield.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 8, 2020

Scientists identify targets for COVID-19 vaccine using cancer immunotherapy tools

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a strategy to identify regions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to target with a vaccine, employing cancer immunotherapies. They prioritize viral targets based on their ability to stimulate a lasting immune response, predicted to be in the vast majority of the human population.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJun 8, 2020

Engaging in family meals starts with healthy family communication

Researchers found parents with better communication and lower discouragement were more likely to participate in family meals, leading to healthier habits. The study also highlighted the importance of open communication about children's weight without promoting unhealthy body image.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJun 8, 2020

Impressive result for mental health therapy

The study, published in Journal of Mental Health, demonstrates the positive clinical outcomes of NewAccess in addressing known barriers to access of evidence-based early intervention for depression and anxiety in Australia. The program offers free therapy with no co-payment, accessible by phone, face-to-face, or self-referral.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Mental Health·DateJun 8, 2020

Disjunct distribution across the equator

A new species of riffle beetle, Podonychus gyobu, is described from Kyushu, Japan, with a disjunct distribution across the equator to Indonesia. The genus was previously known only in Indonesia and has a unique characteristic of having six-segmented antennae.

SourceEhime University·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 8, 2020

New tool helps nanorods stand out

Rice University scientists developed an easy and affordable tool to count and characterize nanoparticles using the open-source SEMseg program. The tool simplifies nanoparticle analysis by extracting pixel-level data from low-contrast SEM images and recombining it into sharp images.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateJun 8, 2020

New algorithm helps select patients for urgent surgery or chemotherapy during pandemic

A new algorithm has been developed to select breast cancer patients in need of urgent surgery or chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The algorithm uses data from international trials to identify postmenopausal patients with primary ER+HER2- breast cancer who have less endocrine-sensitive tumours and should be prioritized for ear...

SourceThe Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust·Journalnpj Breast Cancer·DateJun 8, 2020

Radiocarbon dating pins date for construction of Uyghur complex to the year 777

Researchers have used a recently developed radiocarbon dating method to determine the exact construction date of an eighth-century Uyghur complex in southern Siberia. The findings suggest that the complex was built as a Manichaean monastery, explaining its abandonment, and provide new insights into the purpose of this archaeological site.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

A sharper view of flood risk

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology devised a new analytical tool to predict flood risk by adapting a classical statistical model for analyzing extreme rainfall in large datasets. The model demonstrated potential in capturing observed patterns in northeast America, promising improved prediction capabilities.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·DateJun 8, 2020

First global map of rockfalls on the Moon

Researchers have created the first global map of rockfalls on the Moon, revealing that asteroid impacts are responsible for over 80% of observed rockfalls. The map, based on over two million images, shows that even ancient lunar surfaces continue to be affected by erosion through rockfall.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020

Monkeys appreciate lifelike animation

Researchers found that Rhesus monkeys avoid lifeless monkey faces but show social facial expressions towards a natural-looking avatar with fur and details. The study suggests using this type of avatar in social cognition studies for standardization and replicability.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 8, 2020

Research team builds better rock models

A new method for creating digital replicas of rock samples is being developed by geoscience researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. This technique allows scientists to learn about rock samples without touching them and can be used to calculate important rock properties such as permeability and electrical conductivity.

New technique pinpoints locations of individual molecules in their cellular neighborhoods

A new microscopy technique has pinpointed the locations of individual proteins within bacterial cells, revealing their precise positions and interactions. The technique, called CIASM, combines fluorescent imaging with cryogenic electron tomography to produce high-resolution images of molecules in their cellular neighborhoods.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Boys' poor reading skills might help explain higher education gender gap

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that boys' poor reading skills in adolescence, combined with social attitudes about women attending college, can explain why fewer men than women enroll in higher education. The research analyzed data from over 400,000 boys and girls across 18 countries.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020