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Science News for March 27, 2020


Cardiovascular implications of fatal outcomes of patients with COVID-19

A study published in JAMA Network found that COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of fatal cardiovascular outcomes in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease. The researchers evaluated the relationship between pre-existing heart conditions and myocardial injury on patient mortality rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 27, 2020

A plant-based diet helps to prevent and manage asthma, according to new review

A new review published in Nutrition Reviews suggests that a plant-based diet can help prevent and manage asthma. The study found that consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods can be beneficial for asthma patients, whereas dairy products and high-fat foods can exacerbate symptoms.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateMar 27, 2020

Copper boosts pig growth, and now we know why

Researchers found that copper hydroxychloride improves pigs' ability to utilize fat after absorption, leading to increased energy utilization. The element enhances lipid metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle, enabling better feed conversion rates and economic savings.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateMar 27, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Multi-stage deformation process in high-entropy alloys at ultra-low temperatures revealed

A research team discovered that high-entropy alloys exhibit exceptional mechanical properties at ultra-low temperatures due to multiple deformation mechanisms. The study used in-situ neutron diffraction technique to reveal the sequence of deformation mechanisms, including dislocation slip, stacking faults, twinning, and serrations.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 2020

Bubbles go with the flow

Fluid dynamics experts have long assumed that fluids flow without slipping at solid boundaries, but recent research reveals this may not be true. Tiny microbubbles formed by shear forces can cause slippage, potentially reducing energy losses in industrial applications such as gas and oil suppliers.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 2020

Triple-threat genetic toolkit aids with eco-friendly chemical production

CABBI researchers have developed a triad of innovative tools to engineer low-pH-tolerant yeast Issatchenkia orientalis for production of valuable bioproducts. The three tools facilitate genetic expression, DNA assembly, and stability in the yeast strain, enabling its use as a robust organic acid producer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateMar 27, 2020

How customers search for hedonic versus utilitarian purchases

A new study in the Journal of Marketing finds that consumers use social media and on-site product pages early in their journey for hedonic purchases, while utilizing third-party reviews and search engines closer to the time of utilitarian purchase. The study offers actionable insights for retailers, including investing in social media ...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateMar 27, 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.

Gene mutation enhances cognitive flexibility in mice, NIH study suggests

A recent NIH study has identified a genetic mutation that improves cognitive flexibility in mice by modifying a protein regulating potassium channels. The mutation was found to enhance the ability of mice to adapt to changing situations, such as finding a relocated platform.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 2020

A funnel of light

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a new quantum state of matter that enables light to be accumulated at a specific point in an optical fiber. This effect, known as a 'light funnel', has the potential to improve the sensitivity of optical detectors and unlock new technological applications.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience·DateMar 27, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scientists predict the size of plastics animals can eat

Researchers created an equation to estimate plastic ingestion by animals, finding that the largest piece eaten is about 5% of the animal's body length. The study analyzed over 2,000 animals and found shocking examples of plastic pollution, including a sperm whale with hosepipes and flower pots inside.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 2020

Physicist from Hannover develops new photon source for tap-proof communication

A team of researchers has developed a new method for generating quantum-entangled photons in the previously inaccessible spectral range of 2.1 micrometers. This breakthrough can enhance the security of satellite-based communications by making end-to-end encryption possible on sunny and cloudy days.

SourceCluster of Excellence PhoenixD / Leibniz University Hannover·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 2020

Potential effects of coronaviruses on the cardiovascular system

The study examines coronavirus disease 2019's (COVID-19) effects on the cardiovascular system, revealing potential long-term consequences. Researchers highlight the need for further investigation into the relationship between coronaviruses and cardiovascular health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 27, 2020

Researchers develop faster way to replace bad info in networks

Researchers from North Carolina State University and the Army Research Office have developed a new model for how competing pieces of information spread in online social networks and IoT. The findings suggest that network size plays a significant role in displacing old data with new, accurate information.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking·DateMar 27, 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.

Better, safer batteries

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new fluorinated cyclic phosphate solvent electrolyte that improves upon existing ethylene carbonate, offering nonflammable properties and increased voltage tolerance. This breakthrough could lead to longer journeys in electric vehicles and improved fire safety in home energy storage.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Energy·DateMar 27, 2020

Global supply chains as a way to curb carbon emissions

Global supply chains account for 10% of all global carbon emissions, which has tripled between 1995 and 2012. Researchers call these emissions "carbon-in-transit," as products move across borders with embedded carbon emissions.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnergy Economics·DateMar 27, 2020

'McDonaldization' based analysis of Russian social networks

A study found that Russian social media platforms like Facebook and VKontakte exhibit characteristics of McDonaldization, a form of rationality that prioritizes efficiency and profit over human values. This process can lead to the displacement of individuals from meaningful relationships and the loss of personal autonomy.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalRUDN Journal of Sociology·DateMar 27, 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.

Animals keep viruses in the sea in balance

A recent study by Jennifer Welsh found that various sea creatures, such as sponges, crabs, and cockles, can remove a significant portion of virus particles from seawater. These findings suggest that non-host organisms play an important role in regulating virus populations in marine environments.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 27, 2020

I won't have what he's having: The brain and socially motivated behavior

A team of researchers found a specific brain region responsible for influencing social behaviors and reward valuations in monkeys. They discovered that this region, the lateral hypothalamus, plays a crucial role in shaping socially motivated behavior.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2020

Highly efficient and stable double layer solar cell developed

A new type of solar cell with a wide bandgap perovskite material has been developed to improve efficiency and durability. The researchers achieved a 26.7% efficient power conversion rate in their double layer solar cell, with the material retaining 80% of its initial capability after 1,000 hours of continuous illumination.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience·DateMar 27, 2020

ALMA resolves gas impacted by young jets from supermassive black hole

Astronomers used ALMA to observe a galaxy with young, powerful jets ejected from a supermassive black hole. The team found clear evidence of disrupted gaseous clouds impacted by the jets' high speeds, providing insight into the evolutionary process of galaxies in the early Universe.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 27, 2020

A new way to study HIV's impact on the brain

Researchers created a laboratory model of three types of brain cells to study HIV's impact on the central nervous system. The model revealed that HIV infection can take a toll on the brain, causing inflammation and damage. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce inflammation by around 70%, but also triggers its own unique response.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMar 27, 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.

Astronaut urine to build moon bases

Researchers find that urea in astronaut urine can be used to soften concrete, making it more pliable and resistant to extreme temperatures. The discovery could help reduce costs associated with transporting construction materials to the Moon.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateMar 27, 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.

Double-walled nanotubes have electro-optical advantages

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that double-walled carbon nanotubes can create a staggered band alignment, allowing for more efficient separation of positive and negative charges in photovoltaic applications. This effect is caused by the interplay of different curvatures between the inner and outer walls of the nanotube.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 27, 2020

Benefiting from the national gene vector biorepository

The National Gene Vector Biorepository (NGVB) provides valuable resources to gene therapy investigators, including 93 unique reagents and a searchable database of animal safety studies. These resources aim to decrease compliance risks, address clinical trial funding periods, and reduce costs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateMar 27, 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.

Study compares funding, research productivity for 2 diseases

Researchers compared federal and foundation funding for sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, finding that higher funding was associated with increased research productivity and faster drug development. The study suggests that increasing funding could improve treatment options for these two diseases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 27, 2020

Cancer care in the time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted cancer care delivery, leading to concerns about treatment delays and reduced access to care. To address these challenges, experts recommend adopting flexible approaches that prioritize patient needs and minimize disruptions.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 27, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Nanocrystals will help detect methanol and other alcohols

Skoltech scientists developed sensitive sensors based on cobalt oxide nanoflakes to detect various alcohols, including toxic methanol. The new technology enables quick and accurate tests for safe air quality, applicable to medical diagnostics and ambient air monitoring.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 27, 2020

Forgotten tale of phage therapy history revealed

Researchers from University of Jyväskylä uncovered historical data on phage therapy's successful use against dysentery and staphylococcal infections in Brazil. The study sheds light on the revived interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMar 27, 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.

How to boost immune response to vaccines in older people

Researchers at the Babraham Institute found that applying genital wart treatment can enhance the immune system of older mice and humans. By boosting T follicular helper cells, they were able to rescue age-dependent defects in immune cell types, offering hope for improving vaccination response in older populations.

SourceBabraham Institute·DateMar 27, 2020

Cardiac involvement in a patient with COVID-19

A recent study published in JAMA Network reveals that COVID-19 can cause acute myocardial inflammation leading to fatigue and signs of heart failure. Researchers identified the presentation of this condition in a patient who recovered from influenzalike syndrome and developed symptoms a week after upper respiratory tract symptoms.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 27, 2020

Scientists find a way to extract color from black

Researchers at University of Birmingham develop technique to control light passing through disordered surfaces, producing vivid colors. The method harnesses random clusters of gold nanoparticles to create a 'transparent cavity' that traps and releases photons with different frequencies, resulting in precise color reproduction.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 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.

Cellular train track deformities shed light on neurological disease

Researchers developed a novel technique to study how deformed microtubules affect their function, shedding light on traumatic brain injuries and Parkinson's disease. Microtubules, like train tracks, transport molecular cargo, but become deformed in certain diseases.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·DateMar 27, 2020

Overdose risk among youth with family members prescribed opioids

A study of 72,000 adolescents and young adults found that exposure to family members with opioid prescriptions increases the youth's own risk of overdose. Higher rates of opioid prescription among young people also contribute to their increased risk of overdose.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 27, 2020
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.

Why does your cotton towel get stiff after natural drying?

Researchers at Hokkaido University and Kao Corporation discovered that bound water on cotton surfaces causes cross-linking between single fibers, leading to stiffness. The study used atomic force microscopy and infrared spectroscopy to investigate the bound water's unique properties.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateMar 27, 2020

Disasters can affect cervical cancer screening for years

Cervical cancer screening rates dropped by over 3% in four areas of Miyagi Prefecture after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, with rates still lower five years later. Long-term monitoring is needed to restore screening rates in affected areas.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 27, 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.