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Science News Archive March 2020


Page 8 of 41

Solving a 50-year-old puzzle in signal processing, part two:

Iowa State University engineers develop a closed-form solution for the inverse chirp z-transform, enabling efficient computation on the unit circle and lifting restrictions of existing algorithms. The algorithm achieves high accuracy with 64-bit floating-point numbers and operates in O(n log n) time.

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.

Here be dragons: Analysis reveals new species in Smaug lizard group

Scientists discover ninth species of dragon lizard in genus Smaug, previously mistaken for similar-looking species S. barbertonensis. The new species, Smaug swazicus, is the largest southern African lizard species described since 82 years ago, with up to 13 inches from snout to tail tip.

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.

Mental health care for adolescents

Researchers examined changes in adolescent mental health problems and care settings, finding shifts towards more specialized services and online care. The study highlights the need for improved mental health support for adolescents, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited.

A small forage fish should command greater notice, researchers say

A team of scientists led by Michelle Staudinger calls for increased study of sand lance, a crucial food source for seabirds and marine mammals. The research highlights the need for better understanding of sand lance's biology and populations to inform conservation efforts.

Staining cycles with black holes

Researchers have introduced a method to rapidly cycle through staining, destaining, and restaining of cell samples using black hole quenchers in under 1 hour. This allows for precise characterization of immune cells in tumors, enabling the selection of suitable treatments.

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.

'Whiskey webs' are the new 'coffee ring effect'

Researchers discovered web-like patterns in whiskey droplets that can identify different brands of American whiskey, potentially used to detect counterfeits. The unique web patterns arise from the combination of solutes in each whiskey and can be matched with over 90% accuracy.

Shifting dimensions: Exciting excitons in phosphorene

Researchers from OIST discovered that as exciton density increased, exciton-exciton annihilation shifted from 1D to 2D due to phosphorene's anisotropic properties. Temperature also played a role, with exciton annihilation reverting to 1D at lower temperatures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Investigation of inherited mutations in autism spectrum disorder

Researchers identified a novel mutation in the S6K1 enzyme that affects protein synthesis and is associated with altered cognitive abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that this mutation changes the course of normal neural development and memory forming capacity.

Study: An aspirin a day does not keep dementia at bay

A large study published in Neurology found that taking a low-dose aspirin daily does not reduce the risk of thinking and memory problems caused by mild cognitive impairment or probable Alzheimer's disease. The study involved 19,114 participants and was supported by various funding sources.

Cellular protein shredders for the fight against cancer

A team of researchers from Universities of Bonn and Ulm has investigated how a cell's proteasome can be programmed to degrade proteins that fuel cancer cell growth. By customizing molecular hybrids called PROTACs, they successfully targeted a protein essential for tumor cells to multiply.

How to break new records in the 200 metres?

Researchers Amandine Aftalion and Emmanuel Trélat found that shorter straights and larger radii can improve running performance. Their mathematical model predicts that these track designs could potentially break long-standing records, with improvements of up to 4 hundredth of a second.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Eclectic rocks influence earthquake types

Research from a global team of scientists found that diverse rock types at New Zealand's largest fault contribute to varying earthquake types. Slow slip events and tsunami-generating tremors are linked to the unique properties of each rock type.

Too much salt weakens the immune system

A high-salt diet can significantly weaken the immune system by reducing the function of granulocytes, a type of immune cell that attacks bacteria. This is according to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, which found that mice fed a high-salt diet suffered from more severe bacterial infections.

Understanding differences in streptavidin-biotin binding

A recent study by Rafael C. Bernardi at the University of Illinois uses computational tools to explain the mechanism behind streptavidin and biotin binding, which varies depending on the lab's conditions. The analysis shows that the tethering geometry significantly influences the unbinding mechanics.

Assessing the the global problem of poor sanitation

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) has secured a grant to develop data collection techniques for assessing the scale of challenge in safely dealing with sewage waste. On-site sanitation, such as pit latrines, is used by 3.1 billion people worldwide, but few countries keep data on waste treatment, posing major health risks.

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.

New molecular probes for opioid receptors

Researchers have developed highly selective ligands to label opioid receptors, shedding light on their behavior in living cells. The study reveals that most opioid receptors exist as individual entities, but a small proportion forms pairs, which may contribute to the receptor's function.

New mathematical model can more effectively track epidemics

A new mathematical model developed by Princeton and Carnegie Mellon researchers improves epidemic tracking by accounting for disease mutations. The model provides critical insights into the effects of countermeasures, such as quarantines, on epidemic spread.

Low risk of coronavirus spreading through tears

A recent study published in Ophthalmology found no virus detected in the tears of infected patients with COVID-19, suggesting a low risk of transmission through this route. The study's authors hope their findings will guide further research into preventing virus transmission through more significant routes.

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.

Stanford engineers find ankle exoskeleton aids running

Researchers at Stanford University created an ankle exoskeleton that assists running with powered assistance. Powered mode reduces the energy cost of running by 15%, making it 25% easier than running without assistance, while spring-like mode has limited benefits due to increased energy demand.

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.

Lung cancer trials supported by drug industry stronger

A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that lung cancer clinical trials funded by the pharmaceutical industry demonstrate no more bias compared to studies funded by other sources. The analysis, led by Dr. Pedro Aguiar, assessed 477 studies and found that pharmaceutical-backed trials had stronger evidence, ev...

APS tip sheet: Ultimate strength of metals

Researchers developed a theoretical framework to estimate metal ultimate strength without fit parameters. The new model was able to accurately predict the strengths of nearly 20 different metals.

Weedy rice is unintended legacy of Green Revolution

A new study reveals the extent to which high-yielding rice varieties favored in the Green Revolution have evolved into weedy populations worldwide, outcompeting cultivated varieties. The scientists found that over a third of Asian weed strains originated from elite cultivars developed during this era.

Video game experience, gender may improve VR learning

A new Cornell University study found that students with more video game experience learned better using VR than those with little experience, with males showing greater advantage. The study suggests that either prior video game experience or gender may impact the success of VR-based learning.

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.

Tuberculosis bacterium uses sluice to import vitamins

Scientists discovered a novel transport protein in TB bacteria that imports vitamin B12 and bleomycin with a large water-filled cavity. This non-selective transporter may be common in bacteria and human cells, offering new insights into tuberculosis physiology and potential treatment strategies.

A stopgap measure to treat respiratory distress

A team of researchers suggests using a drug commonly used for blood clots, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), to help Covid-19 patients with severe respiratory distress. The approach is based on emerging data from China and Italy showing a disorder of blood clotting contributing to respiratory failure.

OSU research paves way to improved cleanup of contaminated groundwater

A new decontamination method developed by OSU and NC State University uses hydrogel beads containing bacteria and a slow-release food source to transform toxic contaminants into harmless compounds. The system has functioned continuously for over 300 days without maintenance, removing more than 99% of contaminants from groundwater.

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.

Study shows how diligent we have to be to keep surfaces germ-free

A recent study found that only half of all surfaces in an animal hospital were adequately cleaned during a 5.5-week period, with human-touch surfaces being the least likely to be disinfected. The researchers recommend creating checklists and educating staff on proper cleaning practices to protect animal and human health.

Heat takes its toll on mental health

A study published in PLOS ONE found that hotter temperatures increase the probability of reporting bad mental health in the US. People are willing to pay several dollars to avoid each additional hot day in terms of its impact on self-reported mental health.

Snake venom evolved for prey not protection

A new study suggests that snake venom did not evolve primarily as a defense mechanism, but rather to overpower and kill prey. Researchers surveyed nearly 400 people who work with snakes and found that only a minority of bites cause immediate pain, implying that the venom's composition has not been optimized for defensive purposes.

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.

Using CRISPR to find muscular dystrophy treatments

A study using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology has identified potential treatments for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy by targeting genes involved in hypoxia signaling. The research found that knocking out key genes can desensitize cells to DUX4 toxicity, preventing cell death and improving muscle function.

COVID-19 should be wake-up call for robotics research

Researchers argue that robots can help combat COVID-19 by performing 'dull, dirty and dangerous' jobs such as disinfection and temperature checking. The use of robots in pandemic response could reduce human exposure to pathogens and be essential for future epidemics.

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.

To stay positive, live in the moment -- but plan ahead

A recent study from North Carolina State University found that people who balance living in the moment with planning for the future are better equipped to handle daily stress. The researchers discovered that a combination of proactive coping and high mindfulness significantly reduces the impact of daily stressors on negative moods.

Pharma's potential impact on water quality

Researchers found higher levels of pharmaceutical industry-related substances in wastewater from a manufacturing site compared to domestic wastewater treatment plants. The team detected 25 compounds, including antidepressants and opioids, in treated water samples from both facilities, with peak levels in the industrial wastewater sample.

Scientists get first look at cause of 'slow motion' earthquakes

An international team of scientists has identified the conditions that lead to slow motion earthquakes by drilling down to 1km deep in water depths off New Zealand. The study revealed a unique mix of different rock types and topography that causes slow slip events, which can trigger larger earthquakes and tsunamis.

For clogged and hardened hearts, a mussel is the solution

A new stem cell delivery system using mussel adhesive protein has been developed to efficiently deliver mesenchymal stem cells to damaged cardiac muscular tissues. The system enables prolonged transplantation and promotes rapid integration of transplanted stem cells into surrounding tissues.

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.

New dataset reveals trends in social scientists' congressional testimony

The new dataset, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed 15,506 instances of social scientists' testimony and found that economists testified more than four times as often as political scientists and over 10 times as often as sociologists. Economists also represented think tanks, while anthropologists had the lowest rate of testimony.

Bats depend on conspecifics when hunting above farmland

Research shows that bats rely on listening to their fellow bats' echolocation calls when hunting over insect-poor farmland. In contrast, they hunt individually in forest areas with more abundant prey. The study highlights the importance of population density for successful joint hunting and potential extinction threats

Combination creates powerful central memory T cells for cellular therapy

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center developed a combination therapy that reprograms effector T cells into persistent central memory T cells capable of self-renewal and effective cancer cell killing. This approach addresses the persistence challenge in cellular therapies, increasing their effectiveness.

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.