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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 28 of 41

Ultrathin organic solar cell is both efficient and durable

Scientists have created an ultrathin organic solar cell with a high energy conversion ratio of 13% and long-term storage stability. The research used a simple post-annealing process to increase durability, achieving both efficiency and longevity.

Urine test could reduce unnecessary prostate cancer biopsies

Researchers have developed a new method to identify biomarkers for prostate cancer in urine samples, which can help reduce unnecessary biopsies. The test combines multiple components of urine and uses machine learning techniques to accurately predict disease status without invasive biopsy.

How a virus forms its symmetric shells

A UC Riverside-led study reveals that an interplay of energies at the molecular level enables virus shells to form symmetrically. The research could inform the design of engineered nano-shells used in drug delivery, with potential benefits for targeted treatment and reduced toxicity.

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.

Research uncovers a new way of making chiral catalysts

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize one-handed chiral rotaxanes, which can selectively bind to gold atoms and catalyze chemical reactions. This breakthrough enables the creation of single-handed chiral molecules, addressing potential issues with pharmaceutical drug efficacy.

Vulnerable robots foster teamwork

A study found that robot vulnerability fosters teamwork by encouraging humans to spend more time talking to each other, leading to more positive team dynamics. The results suggest that designing artificial agents to promote social engagement can lead to improved human collaboration.

Study uncovers bias and stereotyping when recruiting patients for clinical trials

Research reveals bias and stereotyping among healthcare professionals when recruiting patients for cancer clinical trials. The study highlights language barriers, misconceptions, and negative perceptions of minority participants as challenges. Experts call for culturally tailored approaches to address biases in clinical trial recruitment.

Safety zone saves giant moons from fatal plunge

Numerical simulations reveal a 'safety zone' where warmer gas pushes satellites away from their parent planets, explaining the presence of single large moons like Titan. The findings support the idea that many large moons formed along with their parent planets.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain activity and video popularity

Researchers used functional MRI scans to study brain activity while watching videos. Increased activity in certain brain regions predicted whether individuals would continue watching and even forecasted aggregate video view frequency and duration.

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.

Prostate cancer 'fingerprint' detected in blood sample

Researchers at UCL have developed a new test to identify the earliest genetic changes of prostate cancer in blood plasma. The process, known as DNA methylation, uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to establish if prostate cancer DNA is present in blood plasma.

Why organisms shrink

Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.

Prosocial behavior and happiness

A study of 591 people reveals that prosocial choices initially increase happiness, but this effect is reversed after a month. The findings suggest that prosociality may not always lead to increased happiness.

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.

Gene therapy reverses heart failure in mouse model of Barth syndrome

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have successfully used gene therapy to reverse cardiac dysfunction and scarring in two mouse models of Barth syndrome. The treatment, which replaced the mutated TAZ gene, prevented progressive cardiomyopathy and restored heart function in both whole-body and heart-only TAZ deletion mice.

Scientists identify new target for Parkinson's therapies

Researchers discovered a new master control region in alpha-synuclein protein that controls amyloid formation, leading to neurodegeneration and movement difficulties. This finding opens up new opportunities to develop therapies to slow down or prevent Parkinson's disease.

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.

Gratitude interventions don't help with depression, anxiety

Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 27 studies on gratitude interventions and found that they had limited value in relieving anxiety and depression. Instead, they recommend treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for these issues.

Strong signals show how proteins come and go

Bioscientists at Rice University have developed a novel system to amplify gene expression signals, allowing for more sensitive detection of target genes. The system, consisting of two modules, provides high-resolution dynamic information on gene expression dynamics, which are critical for understanding cell behavior.

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.

Ship noise hampers crab camouflage

Research shows that ship noise affects shore crabs' ability to change color and behave normally, reducing their camouflage effectiveness. The study found that juvenile crabs exposed to ship noise changed color half as quickly, making them less camouflaged.

'Deceptively simple' process could boost plastics recycling

Researchers have developed a new process to produce polyolefins with varying levels of branching, allowing for easier recycling and potentially reducing plastic waste. The method also enables the creation of plastics from natural oils and other substances, addressing environmental sustainability issues.

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.

Brain cells' immune receptors and depression

Researchers found a polymorphism associated with protective effects against major depressive disorder in women. Microglial cells' immune receptors may play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Community factors influence how long you'll live, study shows

A new study by Penn State researchers found that community characteristics play a significant role in determining life expectancy, with factors such as fast food restaurants, population density, and jobs in the extraction industry negatively affecting lifespan. Conversely, social capital, good access to physicians, and lower population...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Astronomers pinpoint rare binary brown dwarf

Researchers discovered a rare eclipsing binary brown dwarf system using the SPECULOOS project, confirming theoretical models of brown dwarfs' cooling processes and providing valuable insights. The system consists of two brown dwarfs orbiting each other, offering opportunities to study their atmospheres and climates.

Sea turtles have a deadly attraction to stinky plastic

Researchers found that sea turtles respond to odors from biofouled plastics in the same way they respond to food odorants. This 'olfactory trap' explains why sea turtles ingest and become entangled in plastic debris. Biofouling, the accumulation of microbes on wet surfaces, is a major factor contributing to this attraction.

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.

Mosquito-borne viral diseases

A European research network is funding a study to investigate how biological diversity influences chains of infection for mosquito-borne diseases. The project aims to develop reliable risk assessments and identify the impact of biodiversity, landscape diversity, and socio-economic conditions on disease transmission.

Viewership soars for misleading tobacco videos on YouTube

Pro-vaping and other tobacco videos on YouTube have seen dramatic increases in viewership over the past half-dozen years, despite ad bans. The research highlights the challenges of regulating online content and the potential for social media platforms to influence young people's health information.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Natural contaminant threat to drinking water from groundwater

A new UNSW study found that climate change and urbanization are expected to increase groundwater organic carbon, posing a threat to the quality and availability of drinking water for over half of the world's population. Increased groundwater DOC concentrations can lead to higher water treatment costs and health risks.

Particles travelling against the light

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Tsinghua University develop a new technology called opto-thermoelectric pulling (OTEP) to achieve the optical pulling of light-absorbing particles. This technique uses directional optical heating to create an asymmetric thermoelectric field, allowing for the trapping of particles a...

Ancient shell shows days were half-hour shorter 70 million years ago

A new study of fossil mollusk shells from the late Cretaceous period found that a day lasted 23.5 hours, with ocean temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in summer and exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in winter. The ancient shell revealed unprecedented detail about the animal's growth rate and water conditions.

Simple method to prevent HIV in South Africa and Uganda works

Researchers found that a community-based intervention using mobile vans significantly increased viral suppression, with 74% of participants achieving suppression compared to 63% in traditional clinics. The convenience of the vans made it easier for people living with HIV to access treatment.

New type of pulsating star discovered

Astronomers have discovered a one-sided pulsator in the Milky Way, with citizen scientists providing crucial clues. The star's unusual single-sided pulsation is caused by its location in a binary star system with a red dwarf companion.

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.

Twin-chain hydrogels for cleaning artwork

Researchers developed twin-chain hydrogels for cleaning artworks, improving efficacy on rough surfaces and reducing pigment loss. The new tool was successfully tested on Jackson Pollock paintings, demonstrating superior cleaning capabilities compared to conventional methods.

Indian Ocean phenomenon spells climate trouble for Australia

New research reveals a worrying change in Indian Ocean surface temperatures, putting southeast Australia on course for increasingly hot and dry conditions. The study, led by Australian National University, suggests that historically rare events have become more frequent and intense during the 20th Century.

New study unveils the mechanism of DNA high-order structure formation

Researchers have unveiled the structure and mechanism of a protein critical to DNA packaging in human cells, which is highly overexpressed in various cancers. The study found that this protein facilitates histone loading by utilizing ATP, offering new insights into developing targeted therapies for cancer treatment.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Evolution of sedentary behaviors

Researchers examined Hadza adults' activity patterns, finding they spent nearly 10 hours a day in nonambulatory postures similar to industrialized populations. However, Hadza adults spent more time in squatting and kneeling postures, which produce muscle activity, suggesting humans need daily muscle activity from both movement and resting

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.