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Science News Archive June 2020 - Page 36


Page 36 of 48

You are what you eat is as important for fish as it is for people

A recent UBC study measured the biochemical properties of zooplankton in the Strait of Georgia, finding that seasonal changes in plankton food web pathways drive variability in plankton fatty acid composition. This shift confers a higher nutritional value to zooplankton in the summer, benefiting juvenile salmon and herring.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2020

Researchers develop ultra-sensitive device for detecting magnetic fields

A team of Brown University physicists has developed a new type of compact, ultra-sensitive magnetometer that could be useful in applications involving weak magnetic fields. The device uses the anomalous Hall effect and is up to 20 times more sensitive than traditional Hall effect sensors.

SourceBrown University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Infants have a basic knowledge of the role and limitations of language

A study published in Cognition found that 14-month-old infants expect to communicate with others who speak the same language, and that their environment influences these expectations. Infants from bilingual environments were more likely to predict successful communication across languages.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCognition·DateJun 8, 2020

Super-cooled metallic ammonia gives clues about electron behavior

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have successfully created metallic ammonia, allowing for a clearer understanding of the behavior of delocalized electrons. The study's findings open up new possibilities for synthesizing important organic compounds using this unique solution.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2020

Specific kidney proximal tubular injury caused by SARS-CoV-2

A study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection led to renal Fanconi syndrome in 75% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, characterized by proteinuria, phosphate loss, and increased uric acid excretion. The condition often preceded severe acute kidney injury, and intensive care patients were more frequently affected.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·JournalClinical Kidney Journal·DateJun 8, 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.

'Playing hard to get' really works; here's why

Researchers found that making the chase harder increased a potential mate's desirability, as those who are selective in their partner choices are perceived as more valued. Participants who exerted efforts to see a potential partner were also rated as more sexually desirable than those with little effort.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateJun 8, 2020

Weird science

A new study found that primary school students' perceptions of science and scientists are influenced by media stereotypes, with many feeling that a career in science is too difficult or high-pressure. Despite this, most students do not see gender as a barrier to becoming a scientist, showing progress in normalizing women in STEM.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Inclusive Education·DateJun 8, 2020

Preventing pancreatic cancer metastasis by keeping cells 'sheltered in place'

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have shown that a protein called Slug regulates cell movement and can be inhibited to suppress pancreatic cancer metastasis. The study also identified two druggable targets, ERK and eIF2 alpha, which hold promise as treatments for the deadly disease.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 8, 2020

Shedding a new light on 2D materials

A team led by Nathan Youngblood and Feng Xiong investigated how light affects 2D materials like MoTe2 for improved data storage. They found that reducing material dimensions increases efficiency due to energy proportional to area rather than volume.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJun 8, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Recycling old genes to get new traits -- How social behavior evolves in bees

A team of researchers found that sweat bees switch from solitary to social behavior by repurposing ancient genes, challenging the long-held assumption that new genetic variants are always necessary for evolution. The study provides evidence that environmental influences can drive the evolution of complex traits like social behavior.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Explaining Saturn's polar hexagon

Researchers used model simulations to study Saturn's polar hexagon, discovering a potential mechanism for its formation. The simulations produced latitudinal flow jets and vortices that resembled those observed on Saturn, suggesting a possible explanation for the stable pattern.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

NASA calculates soaking rainfall in Tropical Depression Cristobal

Heavy rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour were observed north of Tropical Storm Cristobal, leading to large amounts of rain on the ground. The National Hurricane Center predicts storm total rainfall accumulations of 5-10 inches across portions of the Gulf Coast.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Gender gap in postsecondary education

Research by Gijsbert Stoet and David Geary found that men are less likely to pursue tertiary education due to weaker reading abilities and negative attitudes towards women attending college. The study analyzed data from 18 countries, predicting a significant drop in male representation if discriminatory attitudes were eliminated.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Economic contributions of ecosystem services

Researchers have calculated Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), a monetary value of ecosystem services. GEP calculations for China's Qinghai Province showed over half of its value came from water supply, with GEP exceeding GDP in the year 2000 and being ¾ as large as GDP by 2015.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Drug researcher develops 'fat burning' molecule

Researchers have identified a small mitochondrial uncoupler called BAM15 that decreases body fat mass in mice without affecting food intake or muscle mass. The molecule also shows promise in reducing insulin resistance and oxidative stress associated with obesity and related diseases.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020

Researchers shed light on new enzymatic reaction

Scientists at Illinois have identified a novel enzymatic reaction that uses repurposed enzymes to produce high-yields of valuable chiral carbonyl compounds. This eco-friendly process merges biocatalysis with photocatalysis, offering potential applications in pharmaceutical and bioenergy fields.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 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.

California's climate refugia: Mapping the stable places

A study from UC Davis maps 15% of California's natural lands as 'climate refugia' where existing vegetation can buffer climate change impacts. These areas are priority targets for conservation and wildfire restoration efforts, offering a chance to conserve habitat and services for wildlife.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateJun 8, 2020

Rice team makes tiny, magnetically powered neural stimulator

Researchers develop implant that uses magnetic energy to produce high-frequency signals for treating epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain and other conditions. The miniaturization enables wireless power delivery and minimally invasive procedure.

SourceRice University·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2020

Onset and duration of Jehol Biota

Fossils from the Huajiying Formation in northern China reveal that the Jehol Biota appeared around 135 million years ago and lasted for approximately 15 million years. This early biota includes feathered dinosaurs, early birds, mammals, insects, and flowering plants.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 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.

Indirect effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the kidneys: beware of the genetic background

A recent study found that SARS-CoV-2 can induce kidney injury in patients, particularly those with high blood pressure and APOL1 gene variants. The virus triggers an inflammatory reaction, leading to collapsing glomerulopathy and tubular damage, even in the absence of direct viral infection.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·JournalClinical Kidney Journal·DateJun 8, 2020

High-risk mothers missing out on mental health checks

One in five Australian mothers is not receiving critical perinatal mental health checks, according to a University of Queensland study. The study found that older mothers and those with emotional distress are less likely to be screened for mental health issues.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Engineers put tens of thousands of artificial brain synapses on a single chip

Researchers create memristors on a single chip, enabling small, portable AI devices to recognize objects and make decisions in real-time. The design could advance the development of neuromorphic computing and enable powerful, portable computing devices that don't rely on supercomputers or the Internet.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 8, 2020

COVID-19: Are we handling this the right way?

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen US cases surge to 1.5 million and deaths exceed 100 thousand despite severe lockdowns. The journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness explores the reasons behind this surge, discussing transmission and individual population susceptibility.

SourceSociety for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateJun 8, 2020

Sharing of tacit knowledge is most important aspect of mentorship, study finds

The most successful protégés studied under mentors who demonstrated unique skills in ideating and publishing celebrated research, breaking away from their mentors' lines of research. These mentors were future scientific prizewinners. The study reveals that face-to-face interaction is essential for transferring tacit knowledge.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 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.

The European League Against Rheumatism, EULAR, launches Virtual Research Centre

The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has launched a Virtual Research Centre to address barriers in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease research. The centre aims to facilitate collaborative research, provide access to resources and technology, and develop broad coalitions for innovation and training.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·DateJun 8, 2020

Better detection of a type of ovarian cancer could lead to better treatments

Researchers found that ovarian cancer patients with a modified BRCA1 gene do not respond better to platinum chemotherapy or have a better prognosis than those with the normal functioning gene. However, they did live longer on these treatments compared to those without any gene modifications.

SourceRCSI·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 8, 2020

Health disparities prove to be multidimensional

Recent studies by Hollings Cancer Center researcher Chanita Hughes-Halbert highlight the importance of effective chronic disease prevention and management for male minority prostate cancer patients and veterans. The research emphasizes the need for better training programs and social determinants-based approaches to address underlying ...

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalEthnicity & Disease·DateJun 8, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

First systematic report on the tug-of-war between DNA damage and repair

Researchers screened 163,000 DNA mutations in C. elegans roundworms to understand the interplay between DNA damage and faulty repair systems. The study found that multiple DNA repair pathways work together to prevent mutagenesis, and a single mutagen can leave varying mutational signatures depending on the faulty repair system.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020

Addressing sexual violence in sport: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine issues position statement

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has issued a position statement on sexual violence in sport, defining it as an egregious violation of an athlete's right to safety. The statement outlines key principles for reducing sexual violence, including mandated reporting, training, and background checks.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalCurrent Sports Medicine Reports·DateJun 8, 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.

International Consortium of Scientists Propose New Naming System for Uncultivated Bacteria and Archaea

A new consensus statement by 119 microbiologists proposes updating the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to include uncultivated bacteria and archaea represented by DNA sequence information. This would enable researchers to create a unified list of all discovered species and implement universal quality standards for nam...

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 8, 2020

Appetite can be increased by cells in the brain

Researchers at University of Warwick discover that tanycytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, can increase appetite by delivering signals to neurons. The study found that stimulating tanycytes leads to an increase in food intake due to the activation of two pathways involved in feeding behavior.

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

Physicists study mirror nuclei for precision theory test

Physicists studied mirror nuclei helium-3 and tritium to measure their properties with high precision. The results showed that the data generally matched theoretical calculations well, but with some differences, indicating a need for further refinements in nuclear theory.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 8, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Cosmic quasars embrace 1970s fashion trend

A team of researchers has discovered that quasar jets change from parabolic to conical shapes at a distance from the black hole, similar to flared jeans. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of narrow cone-shaped jets and provides new insights into black hole acceleration.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Tai chi lifts spirits of people with heart disease

Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that tai chi was linked to a boost in both mood and quality of life for patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke. The study also found that tai chi was associated with better mental health quality of life and reduced depression.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Zero rates preferable to negative rates for investors' risk-taking -Ben-Gurion U study

Research at Ben-Gurion U found that zero interest rates motivate individuals to borrow money and take risks, while negative rates have a lesser impact on investment decisions. The study suggests that savers might prefer holding cash over accepting negative rates due to associated risks.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics·DateJun 8, 2020

New treatment target verification for myelodysplastic syndrome

A research group from Kumamoto University found the transcription factor RUNX3 plays a cancer growth function in what was previously thought to be a tumor suppressor. RUNX3 is also linked to the initiation and propagation of MDS stem cells, making it a promising new therapeutic target.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 8, 2020