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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 31 of 41

Thinking in acids and bases

A team of researchers from Japan has developed a novel probe to measure changes in brain pH in mice during exposure to visual stimuli. The study reveals distinct patterns of pH changes in the primary visual cortex that correlate with specific visual stimulus patterns.

Machine learning illuminates material's hidden order

Physicists used a combination of ultrasound and machine learning to study uranium ruthenium silicide's phase transition at 17.5 kelvin. The machine-learning algorithm eliminated over half of the possible explanations, providing new insights into the material's behavior.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Zywicki receives funding for CFPB task force

George Mason University's Todd J. Zywicki has received $226,944 from the CFPB to lead a task force on harmonizing and updating federal consumer financial laws. The project aims to improve and strengthen consumer financial laws and regulations by end of 2020.

A filter for cleaner qubits

A team at Tokyo Medical and Dental University demonstrates a new method to increase the lifetime of qubits, enabling faster cycle times and reduced noise. This could lead to practical quantum computing applications in fields like finance and chemistry.

The impact of energy development on bird populations

A new study reveals energy development has negative impacts on sage-grouse reproduction, affecting their ability to nest and raise chicks. The study's findings emphasize the importance of preserving sagebrush habitats when positioning renewable and non-renewable energy projects to balance species conservation with energy demands.

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.

Super magnets from a 3D printer

A team of researchers has successfully created super magnets using laser-based 3D printing, allowing for high-density magnet production with tailored magnetic properties. This breakthrough enables precise control over microstructure and geometric requirements, addressing the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods.

New imaging technique enables the study of 3D printed brain tumors

A new imaging technique allows researchers to study 3D printed brain tumors in unprecedented detail, revealing how treatments affect complex tumor cells. This method provides a more accurate evaluation of drug effectiveness than traditional methods, which could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with glioblastomas.

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.

Individual response to COVID-19 'as important' as government action

Researchers stress that individual actions, such as self-isolation and social distancing, are key in controlling the pandemic. Governments can also take measures like banning large events and ensuring healthcare provision, but these must be balanced with economic considerations.

Nanoscale 4D printing technique may speed development of new therapeutics

Researchers have developed a nanoscale 4D printing technique that combines nanolithography, microfluidics, and organic chemistry to create synthetic surfaces with precise structures and tailored chemical composition. This technology has potential applications in drug research, biosensor development, and advanced optics.

Specialized helper cells contribute to immunological memory

Researchers have discovered that T follicular helper cells can persist for at least 400 days after infection, supporting antibody production even in late stages. This finding opens up new prospects for creating long-term acquired immunity through vaccination strategies.

Making puffer fish toxin in a flask

Researchers have introduced a novel total synthesis method for tetrodotoxin, a strong nerve toxin with potential as a pain reliever for cancer treatment. The new route enables easy and reliable production of the compound.

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.

Comprehensive review of heterogeneously integrated 2D materials

Researchers from Sungkyunkwan University provide a comprehensive review of heterogeneously integrated two-dimensional materials, enabling the design of novel devices. The review discusses various 2D heterostructures, their physical characteristics, and new functional applications.

The complex biology behind your love (or hatred) of coffee

A study of 4,788 child-parent pairs and 2,380 siblings found that 36-58% of coffee intake is genetically determined, with environmental factors influencing the amount consumed. The correlation between parent's and offspring's coffee drinking increased with each quantile, suggesting a complex interplay between genetics and environment.

Dimming Betelgeuse likely isn't cold, just dusty, new study shows

Researchers at the University of Washington and Lowell Observatory found that Betelgeuse's surface temperature remains relatively stable despite recent dimming. The team calculated the average surface temperature of the star using a filter to 'dampen' its light, revealing a surface temperature of around 3,325 degrees Celsius.

Argonne's pioneering user facility to add magic number factory

The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is being upgraded with a new capability to produce beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons, a 'magic number', for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. This upgrade will help scientists test a reigning theory on the formation of heavy elements.

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.

Don't blame the messenger -- unless it's all stats and no story

A University at Buffalo researcher found that telling stories when communicating can make the speaker appear more warm and trustworthy, as opposed to speaking statistics. People rely on warmth and competence when forming impressions of someone, and previous research suggests scientists are perceived as smart but distant.

World-first system forecasts warming of lakes globally

Scientists have developed a global system to predict future warming of lakes, which could threaten cold-water species like salmon and trout. By 2100, average lake temperature is expected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius under extreme climate change scenarios.

Improving the vision of self-driving vehicles

A team from Deakin University in Australia developed an improved sight-correcting system for self-driving vehicles. By watching human operators complete tasks, the vehicles can learn to make decisions based on visual information, reducing the need for extensive training data.

One species to four: New analysis documents new bird diversity in the Pacific

International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Alcohol marketing and underage drinking

A systematic review of 38 cross-sectional studies found a positive association between alcohol marketing exposure and young people's alcohol use behaviors. The researchers concluded that future policies should regulate alcohol marketing more strictly to reduce underage drinking and related problems.

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.

Topology protects light propagation in photonic crystal

Researchers have successfully observed topologically protected light waves propagating along a special boundary in a photonic crystal, unaffected by sharp corners or imperfections. This breakthrough enables the development of optical chips with enhanced reliability and potential for quantum information transfer.

Scholars explore role of digital environments in international marketing

The Journal of International Marketing explores the impact of digital environments on international marketing, with research highlighting key trends and frameworks. Studies examine social media, global brand building, customer journeys, dark net markets, and more, shedding light on the latest developments in the field.

Biomarker in saliva predicts childhood obesity risk

A molecular marker in saliva is associated with childhood obesity emergence in preschool-aged Hispanic children. Salivary methylation of the NRF1 gene predicted childhood obesity three years later, even after controlling for maternal BMI and behavioral factors.

What women really want

Researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated whether changes in a woman's menstrual cycle affect her preferences for men's behavior. The study found that women find all men slightly more attractive when fertile and perceive flirtier men as more attractive for short-term relationships, but less attractive for long-term ones. ...

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.

Argonne's Valerii Vinokur awarded Fritz London Prize

Valerii Vinokur, a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, has made significant contributions to understanding topological properties of matter and their related phase transitions. His research has enabled the discovery of novel superinsulating states of matter in disordered superconducting films.

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.

Endangered species on supermarket shelves

A study published in Science Advances found nearly 50% of retail eel products in Hong Kong supermarkets contained endangered European eel. The investigation exposed a surprising prevalence of illegally traded glass eels from Europe, posing a significant threat to the species' survival.

Clower examining North Carolina community college labor market

Terry Clower examines North Carolina community college labor market using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and private sources. His analysis assesses market-competitive salaries and wages for teaching occupations, providing insights for local campuses.

Space lettuce

Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.

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.

Fire from the sky

Researchers discover cosmic impact evidence at Abu Hureyra archaeological site in northern Syria, dating back to the earliest human settlement. The impact is believed to have caused destruction and burning of the settlement nearly 12,800 years ago.

Lunar lasers and cosmic crops: NASA funds UArizona space exploration missions

Researchers at the University of Arizona are working with NASA to develop new methods for harvesting water from the lunar surface using lasers. The mission aims to create a system that can efficiently extract water and nutrients from the lunar environment, enabling sustainable food production in space. With the help of tiny satellites ...

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.

The harmful effects of stress during pregnancy can last a lifetime

Researchers at Yale University found that mice exposed to stress in the womb and after birth experience lifelong immune system deficiencies, making them more susceptible to bacterial infections and tumors. Early-life exposure to glucocorticoids permanently alters immune responses, rewiring the body to respond differently.

What we don't know (about lakes) could hurt us

Researchers found a significant knowledge gap in how lakes respond to extreme storms, with inconsistent findings across studies. The team calls for a collaborative effort to develop a research framework to better predict phytoplankton responses to storm-induced changes.

Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up

Researchers developed a scalable method for estimating crop productivity in real time using satellite data, in-field camera networks, and ground measurements. The method provides highly accurate estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and can be used to detect underperforming fields or segments that need targeted management practices.

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.

Mapping movement

Researchers have uncovered neural mechanisms that govern complex motor sequences in fruit flies, revealing the importance of spatial comparisons in decision-making. The findings could lend insight into pathologies such as Parkinson's Disease and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Tissue-digging nanodrills do just enough damage

Researchers have successfully tested molecular motors that can destroy diseased cells in worms, plankton, and mice. The nanomachines caused various degrees of damage to tissues, showing their potential for treating skin diseases such as melanomas and eczema.

Rats avoid to hurt other rats

In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that rats exhibit harm aversion, stopping use of their preferred lever when it would cause pain to a neighboring rat. This phenomenon is linked to the same brain region associated with empathy in humans, suggesting that harm aversion is deeply ingrained in our biology.

World's smelliest fruit could charge your mobile phone

Researchers from University of Sydney have developed a method to store electricity efficiently using durian and jackfruit waste. The fruits' biomass is converted into super-capacitors that can quickly charge electronic devices, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

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.