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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 32 of 41

Unexpected discovery: Blue-green algae produce oil

Cyanobacteria, previously thought to lack oil production ability, can now produce oil from water and carbon dioxide with light. This discovery opens up possibilities for producing animal feed or biofuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cooling magnets with sound

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a method to cool microparticles using sound waves, enabling quantum experiments without photons. This innovative approach also provides a path to probe and manipulate exotic dynamics of acoustic and magnetic waves in small particles.

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.

Novel sepsis treatment enhances bacterial capture by neutrophil 'traps'

Researchers developed a novel treatment that compacts and stabilizes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to enhance bacterial capture, resist degradation, and improve sepsis outcomes. The treatment improved survival in mice with sepsis by reducing severity of illness and decreasing bacteria levels.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Spin-preserving chiral photonic crystal mirror

Researchers have developed a novel planar chiral mirror that preserves the spin of light upon reflection, overcoming limitations of traditional mirrors. This innovation has potential applications in quantum information processing and quantum optics.

Satellite data boosts understanding of climate change's effects on kelp

Researchers used 35 years of satellite imagery to study the effects of climate change on kelp forests in Oregon, finding that warm water isn't always bad news for these near-shore seaweeds. The study also challenged previous assumptions about the impact of large winter waves on kelp populations.

'Tickling' an atom to investigate the behavior of materials

Scientists have developed a diagnostic technique using electron microscopy to measure the behavior of individual atoms in materials. This allows them to detect and monitor impurities at the atomic level, with potential applications in various fields such as electronics and materials science.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Food scientists slice time off salmonella identification process

Researchers from Cornell and Mars Global Food Safety Center developed a method for whole-genome sequencing to determine salmonella serotypes in two hours. This improves the efficiency of food safety response to salmonella contamination incidents, which can occur in various foods.

Ultra-wide field retinal imaging techniques cannot be used interchangeably

A new study from the Joslin Diabetes Center reveals that ultra-wide field (UWF) fluorescein angiography detects over three times more microaneurysms than UWF color imaging, highlighting the need for cautious use of these techniques when evaluating and treating diabetic retinopathy. The research also suggests that AI can automate the gr...

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.

Skoltech scientists break Google's quantum algorithm

A team of Skoltech scientists discovered reachability deficits in the widely adopted QAOA algorithm, limiting its ability to solve certain problems. The study found that QAOA's performance depends on the problem density, with high-density instances having optimal solutions that cannot be approximated with guaranteed success.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and long life

The researchers developed a low-cost and straightforward liquid phase process to create an active sulfur material and carbon nanofiber composite. This composite showed higher discharge capacity and better cycle stability than traditional lithium-ion secondary batteries. The new battery technology has the potential to revolutionize the ...

New approach to sustainable building takes shape in Boston

The new Boston building will be one of the largest residential wooden structures in the US, featuring a cross-laminated timber structure that eliminates most greenhouse-gas emissions. Its kit-of-parts approach and energy-efficient design make it a pioneering example of sustainable building in urban areas.

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.

Researchers question reliability of common autistic personality test

A new study published in Experimental Results journal found that a commonly used autism screening tool, the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) questionnaire, lacks reliability in measuring autistic personality traits. The researchers suggest that new systems are needed to better capture the range of autistic traits across the population.

Illness won't stop vampire bat moms from caring for their offspring

A study on vampire bats found that mothers continued to groom and feed their healthy offspring despite feeling sick, suggesting a strong family connection. Social grooming among unrelated bats decreased when they were ill, but food sharing remained consistent, highlighting the importance of social behavior in survival.

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.

Is life a game of chance?

A new study suggests that life in the universe is likely to be common, but only under specific conditions. The research, led by Professor Tomonori Totani, found that complex RNA structures necessary for life to exist may have formed spontaneously in vast regions of space beyond our observable horizon.

X-ray eyes peer deeper into deadly pathogen

A new study reveals unprecedented details of the bacterium Francisella tularensis' key membrane protein Flpp3, responsible for its virulence. The researchers used X-ray free electron laser technology to gather detailed structural information, which will help develop targeted drugs and effective vaccines against tularemia.

Microcensus in bacteria

Researchers discovered that bacteria, specifically Bacillus subtilis, can sense the ratios of different bacterial groups in their environment. This ability allows them to adjust their behavior and make informed decisions about their surroundings.

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.

Hong Kong study shows best practices protect healthcare workers from COVID-19

A Hong Kong study found that applying best practices for infection control, including handwashing and wearing personal protective equipment, prevented healthcare worker infections during the COVID-19 outbreak. Researchers tested over 1,275 cases and treated 42 active confirmed cases without any hospital-acquired infections.

Neural hardware for image recognition in nanoseconds

A new chip has been developed at TU Wien that can recognize certain objects within nanoseconds, leveraging artificial intelligence and a special material. The chip integrates the neural network with its AI directly into the image sensor, making object recognition faster by many orders of magnitude.

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.

Preventing spread of SARS coronavirus-2 in humans

Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 requires the protease TMPRSS2 to enter host cells, a target for therapeutic intervention. The drug camostat mesilate, approved for pancreatic inflammation, shows promise in blocking virus entry into lung cells.

Bacteria killed by new light-activated coating

A new light-activated coating has been developed that successfully kills bacteria in low-intensity ambient light, including <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> and <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>. The coating works by producing hydrogen peroxide, a mild reagent used in contact lens cleaner solutions.

Native Americans and higher cigarette use: Stereotype goes up in smoke

A recent study by the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that Native Americans do not have inherently higher cigarette use rates, contrary to long-held stereotypes. After adjusting for income and education levels, white Americans were more likely to use cigarettes daily and be nicotine dependent.

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.

Study finds music therapy helps stroke patients

A new study has found that music therapy sessions have a positive effect on the neurorehabilitation of acute stroke patients. The research, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, showed that NMT helped improve mood regulation, concentration, and brain function through neural reorganisation.

Solving a mystery in 126 dimensions

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have successfully analyzed the complex structure of benzene in 126 dimensions, shedding light on its stability and interactions. The discovery reveals unexpected electron behavior, where up-spin double-bonded electrons interact with down-spin single-bonded electrons.

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.

Triglycerides control neurons in the reward circuit

Scientists at CNRS have discovered that triglycerides interact with certain neurons in the brain's reward circuit, reducing their excitability and strengthening reward-seeking behavior. The study also found a correlation between blood triglyceride levels and brain activity in response to food odors.

ACM publishes new journal on the Internet of Things

The ACM Transactions on Internet of Things (TIOT) journal chronicles the transformative development of the IoT. The journal covers a broad range of topics, including low-power wireless networking, embedded systems, data analytics, and security, with a strong emphasis on experimental validation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

One step closer to understanding the human brain

An international team of scientists has launched a comprehensive overview of all proteins expressed in the human brain, published in Science. The Brain Atlas resource offers medical researchers an unprecedented resource to deepen their understanding of neurobiology.

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.

New sleep method strengthens brain's ability to retain memories

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute of Science developed a new sleep method that uses smell to strengthen memory retention in the brain. The technique, which administers a specific scent to one nostril, has shown promise in boosting memory consolidation during sleep.

Understanding how the brain predicts could make treating autism easier

Purdue University researcher Alexander Chubykin is working on developing new biomarkers to diagnose autism and schizophrenia. He believes understanding how the brain predicts future events can help individuals with these disorders better navigate their environments and manage sensory overload.

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.

City fox and country fox

Researchers identified two genetically distinct 'urban' and 'rural' fox populations in Berlin, influenced by physical barriers and human activity levels. Foxes from the city population are bolder but prefer to avoid areas of high human activity, highlighting their risk management strategies.

Longest microwave quantum link

Researchers at ETH Zurich create a five-metre long microwave quantum link, demonstrating the feasibility of quantum local networks. The breakthrough could enable the development of powerful quantum computers by connecting smaller devices in a cluster.