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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 25 of 41

Exercise works for those beginning cancer treatment

A study led by James Cook University found that supervised exercise sessions can reduce the negative side effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer patients. The research showed sustained benefits in cardiovascular risk profile and quality of life, but not in cardiopulmonary fitness and fatigue.

Microbial DNA in patient blood may be tell-tale sign of cancer

A study published in Nature identified distinct microbial signatures associated with specific cancer types, including colon cancer and prostate cancer. Machine learning models trained on these signatures were able to distinguish between cancer patients and healthy individuals with high accuracy.

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.

Probing the genes that organize early brain development

A recent study has identified the RAB39b gene as a critical regulator of early brain development, with mutations leading to macrocephaly and autism spectrum disorder. The research used mouse models and human brain organoids to demonstrate how this gene disrupts neural progenitor cell growth and differentiation.

Knowledge of basic finances empowers elderly population in Japan

A study by Hiroshima University found that financial literacy is key to understanding existing legal and social services for people with dementia. Financially literate individuals are more aware of systems like adult guardianship and civil trust, which can help prevent misuses of power and ensure continued economic participation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sensing infection, suppressing regeneration

A study published in Immunity identifies an enzyme that blocks self-healing in blood vessels during inflammation, hindering regeneration. Removing this enzyme allows cells to fully regenerate, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for improving endogenous regeneration.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NIH researchers successfully stop blood vessel, tumor growth in mice

Researchers at the NIH have successfully stopped tumor growth and blood vessel formation in mice by targeting enzymes that recycle phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate. By blocking these enzymes, tumors were unable to replenish the molecule needed for new blood vessel growth, ultimately reducing tumor size and growth.

For the first time, scientists observe the elusive Kondo screening cloud

Researchers directly observed a Kondo screening cloud, a quantum phenomenon that masks magnetic impurities in materials. The study confirmed theoretical predictions and provided insights into the spatial extension of the cloud, which is universally scaled by the inverse of the Kondo temperature.

Opening up cryoEM

The Rosalind Franklin Institute has committed to developing a new detector for low-energy cryoEM, enabling atomic-scale images of biological samples. The goal is to make cryoEM more accessible and affordable, allowing for faster scientific progress in medical research and drug development.

'Zombie' brain cells develop into working neurons

Researchers found that inhibiting apoptosis in fruit fly neurons led to the development of 'zombie' cells that formed new olfactory neuron networks with distinct properties. These neurons expressed different receptors, including those for carbon dioxide detection, giving the flies enhanced odor perception.

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.

Sugar tax has more public support than expected

A survey of over 1,000 German consumers found broad support for nutritional policy action, despite initial concerns about social acceptance. Key findings indicate that people's opinions on food policies are not tied to individual dietary struggles, with those who eat a healthy diet also being in favor of regulation.

Fast-charging damages electric car batteries

Researchers found that commercial fast-charging stations cause high temperatures and resistance damage to electric car batteries, leading to capacity loss and potential fires. The University of California, Riverside developed an adaptive fast-charging algorithm to mitigate this issue.

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.

Antibiotics: City dwellers and children take the most

Researchers analyzed 73 studies on antibiotic use in outpatient sectors worldwide, finding city dwellers, children, and seniors take more antibiotics. Higher education and richer countries reduce antibiotic use, while urban areas and doctor concentrations increase it.

Caught in a spin: Spiral vortex streamlines delivery of nanomaterials into cells

Scientists have developed a rapid and efficient delivery method that uses the power of a tiny fluid vortex to deform cell membranes, allowing for the delivery of nanomaterials such as DNA, proteins, and drugs. The device, called a spiral hydroporator, can deliver nanomaterials into around one million cells per minute with up to 96% eff...

Can poor air quality make you gain weight?

A new study published in Environment International links poor air quality to changes in the human gut microbiome, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Young adults exposed to higher levels of ozone showed less microbial diversity and more species associated with obesity and disease.

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.

Engineers crack 58-year-old puzzle on way to quantum breakthrough

A team of engineers at UNSW Sydney has successfully controlled the nucleus of a single atom using only electric fields, solving a problem that stood for over half a century. This breakthrough has major implications for the development of quantum computers and sensors, enabling precise control over individual atoms.

Microbes far beneath the seafloor rely on recycling to survive

Researchers found a diverse community of microbes that efficiently recycle and store organic compounds to survive in hostile environments far beneath the ocean floor. The study reveals genetic material suggests many lower crust microbes rely on carbon from their surroundings to obtain energy.

A novel technique to produce cheaper and more efficient chlorine

Researchers at UNIST have developed a novel catalyst for electrochemical chlorine generation, overcoming the drawbacks of existing metal oxide-based catalysts. The new catalyst, Pt1/CNT, exhibits high efficiency and selectivity for chlorine ions, enabling more efficient and affordable production.

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.

Warming mountaintops put snake at risk of extinction

A new study found that climate change is likely to cause the extinction of the Greek Meadow Viper, with up to 90% of its habitat becoming uninhabitable by the end of the 2080s. Rising temperatures and aridification due to climate change are the primary threats to the species' survival.

Bumblebees' aversion to pumpkin pollen may help plants thrive

Researchers at Cornell University found that squash and pumpkin pollen deter bumblebees from collecting and eating pollen, potentially providing an evolutionary benefit to cucurbit plants. This is because the pollen causes damage and distorted digestive tracts in adult bees and prevents them from reproducing.

New COVID-19 content from Annals of Internal Medicine

Two new articles published in Annals of Internal Medicine provide guidance on how US hospitals can prepare for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first article offers ideas for protecting hospitals from the invisible threat of coronavirus, while the second article provides recommendations for preparing hospitals for a surge in cases.

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.

Power struggles hinder urban adaptation policies to climate change

A study analyzing Barcelona's 'Superblocks' program reveals how political struggles for municipal power hindered its implementation. The program aimed to reduce car traffic and emissions, but resistance from local forces and public participation issues threatened its success.

$21.4 million initiative to develop water-energy technologies

The Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC) aims to reduce energy needed for desalination, improve water recovery and support safe water reuse through research, development and commercialization of new technologies. CoWERC will enable the creation of energy-water systems that could be implemented worldwide.

Popular painkiller ibuprofen affects liver enzymes in mice

A new study from the University of California, Davis found that ibuprofen causes significant changes in liver enzymes in laboratory mice. The research highlights marked differences in how males and females metabolize the drug, with potential implications for human health.

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.

Healthy lifestyle reduces risk of disease, death

A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that individuals who maintain intermediate to ideal cardiovascular health for longer periods are 33% less likely to develop hypertension and other diseases. This suggests that promoting healthy behaviors throughout life may be beneficial for reducing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality.

Deciphering disorder

Researchers have measured atomic positions of all atoms in a 2D material and calculated its impact on electronic properties. They found that materials are far from perfect, with constant misalignment, missing, or replaced atoms affecting the system's behavior.

Magic twist angles of graphene sheets identified

The study reveals how twisted graphene sheets behave and their stability at different sizes and temperatures, providing insights into self-alignment mechanisms and forces. This fundamental research could pave the way for manufacturers to achieve fine control over twist angles in 2D material structures.

How secure are four and six-digit mobile phone PINs?

Researchers investigated how users choose their mobile phone PINs and found that six-digit PINs do not provide more security than four-digit ones. The study also showed that Apple's blacklist could be optimized and would make sense on Android devices.

Fossil footprints show stegosaurs left their mark on Scottish isle

A team of palaeontologists has discovered stegosaur fossil footprints on the Isle of Skye, shedding light on dinosaur diversity in the Middle Jurassic period. The findings reveal that stegosaurs roamed the island around 170 million years ago and provide a clearer picture of Scotland's dinosaur evolution during this time.

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.

Like patching a flat tire: New fix heals herniated discs

A new two-step technique repairs herniated discs by re-inflating the disc with hyaluronic acid gel and sealing the hole with collagen gel. This method maintains mechanical function and prevents collapse or deterioration, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments.

Remote South American kelp forests surveyed for first time since 1973

Researchers surveyed remote South American kelp forests for the first time in 45 years, finding relatively unchanged ecosystems despite global threats from climate change and human activities. No signs of destructive sea urchin grazing were observed, but fish populations varied by location within the study area.

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.

Piracy takes greater toll on small Persian gulf energy exporters

A new study by Duke University reveals that piracy in the Strait of Hormuz can have a significant toll on smaller Persian Gulf countries, including Bahrain and Kuwait. These nations export refined petroleum products, which make up a larger proportion of their GDP, making them more vulnerable to slowdowns in energy shipping.

Researchers find new minor planets beyond Neptune

Using DES data, researchers found more than 300 trans-Neptunian objects, including 245 discoveries made by DES. The method developed by Pedro Bernardinelli can also be used to search for TNOs in upcoming astronomy surveys.

Intralipid improves efficacy of chemotherapy treatment

Researchers found that pairing Abraxane with Intralipid enhances tumor-killing macrophages, reducing cancer growth and protecting organs from damage. The combination also decreases the amount of expensive drugs needed for treatment.

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.

Observed: An occultation of a brown dwarf by another

Astronomers detected velocities of both brown dwarfs in a system orbiting each other, confirming the hypothesis that 2M1510 is composed of two brown dwarfs. The discovery provides rare data on the mass, radius, and age of brown dwarfs, allowing for verification of theoretical models.

Muscle stem cells compiled in 'atlas'

A team of Cornell researchers compiled a 'cell atlas' of muscle regeneration, cataloging the activity of almost every type of cell involved in muscle repair. The dataset provides a comprehensive picture of cellular interactions and may lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from muscle injuries.

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.

More than a nice coating

Researchers found that degrading perineuronal nets improves learning abilities in mice but disrupts memory storage. Children's brains have flexible connections allowing for better learning and recovery from brain injury due to intact perineuronal nets.

APS tip sheet: Understanding the tears of wine

Researchers created a new model to account for wine tears' complex fluid structures, which form due to changes in surface tension induced by alcohol evaporation. The study reveals the interplay between gravity, surface tension, and fluid physics leading to these unusual phenomena.