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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 14 of 41

New drug can ease the side effects of medication against severe depression

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a substance, Lu AF60097, that can regulate serotonin levels in the brain and reduce severe side effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants. This new approach may allow for more effective treatment of severe depression while minimizing potential harm.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Putting artificial intelligence to work in the lab

A new AI-driven system, DeepSPM, demonstrates fully-autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) operation, allowing for optimal data acquisition and quality assessment without human supervision. This breakthrough enables long-term SPM operation and bridges the gap between nanoscience, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Sugar leads to early death, but not due to obesity

A new study reveals that sugar-rich diets can lead to early death, but not due to obesity. The researchers found that the build-up of uric acid is a key factor in this process. By providing flies with access to water, they were able to prevent the accumulation of uric acid and subsequent shortened survival.

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.

The power of light for internet of underwater things

Researchers at KAUST are developing a system that can transmit both light and energy to underwater devices, enhancing sensing and communication in the ocean. This technology has potential applications in climate change research, seismic activity detection, and underwater search and rescue operations.

How to slow down ageing?

Scientists studied monocytes in young and elderly individuals, finding that energy production decreases and inflammation markers increase with age. This research provides a foundation for understanding age-related changes and potential solutions to slow down vascular calcification and atherosclerosis.

Researchers find key to keep working memory working

Yale researchers identified a critical molecule in prefrontal cortex circuits that enables working memory. Activating this receptor may offer potential treatments for neurocognitive disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Achievement gaps may explain racial overrepresentation in special education

New research suggests that racial achievement gaps, rather than systemic bias, are the primary reason for the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. The study found that districts with larger black-to-white or Hispanic-to-white achievement gaps were also more likely to report higher risk ratios. This method can b...

'Sushi parasites' have increased 283-fold in past 40 years

A new study found a dramatic increase in the global abundance of Anisakis worms, also known as herring worms, which can be transmitted to humans through raw or undercooked seafood. The parasite's rise could have implications for human health and marine mammal 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.

Observing phytoplankton via satellite

A new algorithm allows researchers to determine dominant phytoplankton types and identify toxic algal blooms using satellite data. This breakthrough can assess water quality and impact the fishing industry, as well as inform conclusions on global warming's effects on marine plankton.

The right thumb becomes the left arm

A research team has induced a re-association of the right thumb with a virtual left arm through visuo-motor synchronization in a virtual environment. The study contributes to understanding body schemes of augmented humans and their limitations. Body-part re-association may be applied to developing functional prosthesis and embodied tools.

Published consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations

A new consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment, while protecting against antimicrobial resistance. The statement aims to help healthcare providers diagnose, treat, and prevent UTIs in PALTC residents, who face increased risks of bacterial colonization and infection.

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.

Increasingly mobile sea ice risks polluting Arctic neighbors

New research from McGill University predicts a significant increase in Arctic sea ice movement by mid-century, leading to more widespread pollutant transport between neighboring countries. Thinner, faster-moving ice can carry pollutants and microplastics, posing a threat to Arctic waters.

How molecules self-assemble into superstructures

A research team of physicists and chemists from Kiel University mimicked self-assembly processes to fabricate various patterns of controllable sizes, including the largest structures reported so far. They developed a model of intermolecular forces driving the self-assembly, enabling control over pattern size.

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.

Melanoma is killing fewest Americans in decades

Death rates from metastatic melanoma dropped by nearly 18 percent between 2013 and 2016, thanks to new therapies that harness the immune system or target specific gene mutations. These advances in treatment have led to the largest yearly declines in deaths due to melanoma ever recorded.

Special issue of 'Neurochemical Research' honors Vittorio Gallo, Ph.D.

This special issue of Neurochemical Research honors Vittorio Gallo's groundbreaking research on glutamate neurotransmission, including his development of cerebellar granule cell cultures and biochemical assays. Gallo's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of neural development and regeneration.

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.

Scientists learn how vampire bat strangers make friends

Researchers studied vampire bat social dynamics in captivity and found that trust builds over time through grooming and smaller mutual investments. Almost 15% of unfamiliar female adult bats formed food-sharing relationships after 15 months together, suggesting that even strangers can develop strong bonds.

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.

Environment: Opening plastic bags and bottles may generate microplastics

A study published in Scientific Reports found that opening plastic packaging can generate small amounts of microplastics. The researchers monitored the generation of microplastics during tasks such as tearing open plastic bags and bottles, finding that different shapes and sizes of microplastics were produced.

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.

Maize, not metal, key to native settlements' history in NY

A Cornell University study re-dates Native American sites in the Mohawk Valley, revealing a more accurate historical timeline based on maize dating and statistical modeling. The findings challenge previous assumptions about trade practices and European contact.

NIH study provides genetic insights into osteosarcoma in children

A recent NIH study has found that a significant proportion of children with osteosarcoma carry genetic variants associated with increased cancer risk. The researchers identified harmful or likely harmful variants in over a quarter of patients, highlighting the importance of genetic testing and screening for family members.

Building a better color vision test for animals

Researchers have developed a mini movie theater to measure the color spectrum visible to fiddler crabs, revealing their ability to discriminate between different wavelengths of light. The device uses blue and green light-emitting diodes and tilted screens to stimulate the crabs' reaction.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Improving success of giraffe translocations

Researchers developed guidelines for giraffe translocations to ensure long-term population viability, including ideal group composition and decision-making processes. A founding population of 30 females and 3 males is recommended for initial translocations, while larger groups can be used to maintain genetic diversity.

Associations between vaspin levels and coronary artery disease

Low serum vaspin levels are associated with coronary artery stenosis, while plasma concentration reflects possible endothelial dysfunction in CAD patients and correlates with disease severity. Vaspin also associates with metabolic syndrome and obesity parameters.

High-speed microscope captures fleeting brain signals

Researchers have developed a high-speed microscope that can image the brain of an alert mouse 1,000 times a second, capturing millisecond electrical pulses through neurons. This technique allows neuroscientists to track sub-threshold inputs and identify transmission problems associated with disease.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Nahum Arav part of team to discover quasar tsunamis

A team of astronomers led by Nahum Arav has discovered the most energetic outflows ever witnessed in the universe, which tear across interstellar space like cosmic tsunamis. These quasar outflows accelerate material to breathtaking velocities, carrying hundreds of solar masses of material each year and pushing galaxies' formation forward.

Parental diet affects sperm and health of future offspring

Research by RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research identifies ATF7 as essential for intergenerational effects on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. The study found that a male mouse's diet influences the health of future children through epigenetic changes in sperm cells.

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.

Genetically engineering electroactive materials in living cells

Researchers developed a method to engineer specific populations of neurons to manufacture electronic-tissue composites within living cells. This approach enables targeted use of electrical fields for therapeutic applications, such as pain relief and tissue regeneration.

Loners help society survive, say Princeton ecologists

Researchers found that evolution can select for loner behavior in slime molds, which could provide an ecological insurance plan to ensure the survival of collective behavior. The study suggests that having some individuals stay out of the swarm may be part of the strategy of this organism.

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.

Graphene underpins a new platform to selectively ID deadly strains of bacteria

A Boston College-led team developed a graphene field effect transistor (G-FET) that selectively identifies deadly bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The rapid detection platform employs peptides to capture specific bacteria, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis.

US sees sharp increase in hypertension-related deaths

Rates of deaths related to hypertension have risen sharply across the US, with a 72% increase in rural areas and a 20% increase in urban areas. High blood pressure can cause damage to arteries and lead to events such as heart attacks or strokes, emphasizing the importance of taking it seriously.