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Science News Archive March 2020 - Page 3


Page 3 of 41

A Martian mash up: Meteorites tell story of Mars' water history

Researchers analyzed Martian meteorites to reconstruct Mars' chaotic history and find that the planet likely received water from at least two distinct sources. The findings suggest Mars never had an ocean of magma completely encompassing the planet, contradicting previous theories.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 30, 2020

Exercise training better than weight loss for improving heart function in type 2 diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent supervised exercise training showed significantly improved heart function and increased cardiovascular fitness compared to those on a low-energy diet. A low-energy diet, however, led to favourable effects on the structure of the heart and reversal of diabetes in 83% of participants.

SourceNational Institute for Health Research·JournalDiabetes Care·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Argonne and CERN weigh in on the origin of heavy elements

Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and CERN studied the neutron-shell structure of a nucleus with fewer protons than lead and more neutrons than 126, revealing new insights into heavy element formation. This study informs models of stellar events and the early universe.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2020

LANL news: High altitude water Cherenkov Observatory tests speed of light

Researchers confirm Lorentz Invariance holds true at record-breaking high-energy gamma rays, extending the range where relativity's constant speed of light is valid. The High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory detected gamma rays from distant galactic sources, providing powerful proof of Einstein's theory.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2020

Antiplatelet drugs increase risk for TAVR patients with atrial fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation who took oral anticoagulants alone after TAVR had a lower rate of bleeding complications without an increased risk of clotting-related complications. Oral anticoagulants alone were significantly less likely to suffer bleeding complications than those who took antiplatelet medication in addition.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research sheds light on potentially negative effects of cannabis

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that more than 50% of college students reported experiencing coughing fits, anxiety, and/or paranoia while using cannabis. The study also identified the most distressing adverse reactions, which included panic attacks, fainting, and vomiting.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Cannabis Research·DateMar 30, 2020

Artificial intelligence improves X-ray identification of patients with broken bones

A new study found that artificial intelligence (AI) can accurately identify patients at risk of osteoporosis and fractures by analyzing electronic radiology reports, outperforming traditional manual methods. The AI tool, XRAIT, detected a significant number of major fractures, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of illness.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateMar 30, 2020

Movement toward gender equality has slowed in some areas, stalled in others

A new five-decade study found that progress toward gender equality has slowed down since the 1990s, with women making gains in education and employment but stagnant progress in pay and occupations. Despite early momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, movement towards gender equity stalled beginning in the 1990s.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 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.

Microelectronics for birds

Scientists have developed a tiny device to study the avian magnetic orientation mechanism, challenging the prevailing photochemical theory. The experiment found that birds with portable devices attached were not disoriented when exposed to local oscillating magnetic fields, suggesting alternative components of the magnetoreception system.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 30, 2020

Well-engineered 'watercourts' stored live fish, fueling Florida's Calusa kingdom

The Calusa kingdom relied primarily on fishing due to the watercourts, which were built around A.D. 1300 and served as short-term holding pens for fish before consumption or preservation. The structure's design required an understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology, and the biology of various fish species.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Swallowing, tachycardia, and sleep arousal

Researchers found that swallowing and reflex airway closure can disrupt sleep and trigger tachycardia in healthy adults. These defense mechanisms tend to coincide with spontaneous arousal from sleep, suggesting a potential link between sleep disruption and cardiovascular issues.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Advances in production of retinal cells for treating blindness

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to refine the production of retinal cells from embryonic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The modified cells can hide from the immune system, reducing the risk of rejection and potentially leading to a new treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Evidence of magmatism in early planetesimal

Researchers found evidence of internal melting and differentiation in a carbonaceous meteorite, suggesting that primitive bodies started forming core, mantle, and crust structures. The study connects this process to highly differentiated iron meteorites through isotopic signatures.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Pregnant women's PFAS exposure linked to granddaughters' obesity risk

A new study links pregnant women's PFAS exposure to their granddaughters' increased obesity risk. The research found that higher levels of PFAS in grandmothers were associated with a greater risk of obesity in granddaughters, even when controlling for other factors.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateMar 30, 2020

The placebo effect and psychedelic drugs: tripping on nothing?

A recent study from McGill University suggests that some people may experience psychedelic-like effects from placebos alone, with 61% of participants reporting an effect. The researchers found that context plays a significant role in these experiences, and clinicians may be able to leverage contextual factors to improve the safety of p...

SourceMcGill University·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateMar 30, 2020

Bison in northern Yellowstone proving to be too much of a good thing

A study by Oregon State University scientists found that increasing bison numbers in the park's Lamar Valley are exerting 10 times the environmental pressure of elk, disrupting species distribution and limiting woody plant communities. The findings suggest that the park's ecosystem engineers may be out of balance.

SourceOregon State University·JournalFood Webs·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Renal denervation effective in patients with untreated hypertension

Patients with untreated high blood pressure experienced statistically significant reductions in average blood pressure over 24 hours following renal denervation. The procedure offered an effective alternative approach to traditional medications, lowering blood pressure throughout the day and early morning periods.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

Wastewater test could provide early warning of COVID-19

Researchers at Cranfield University are developing a paper-based device to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, allowing for early warning of potential COVID-19 spread. The test uses biomarkers from faeces and urine, enabling rapid screening and quarantine measures to be taken.

SourceCranfield University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 30, 2020

Mystery solved: The origin of the colors in the first color photographs

Researchers at CNRS/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle/Ministère de la Culture have solved the mystery of the world's first colour photographs. They found that colours were due to the presence of metallic silver nanoparticles, which reorganise according to light energy, absorbing all colours except their own.

SourceCNRS·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Study helps to identify medications which are safe to use in treatment of COVID-19

A study led by King's College London researchers analyzed existing studies on coronavirus strains to determine the safety of pain medications, steroids, and other drugs for patients with COVID-19. The study found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are not evidence against their use in treating COVID-19.

SourceKing's College London·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateMar 30, 2020

TAVR equivalent to surgery at 2 years among low-risk patients

In a two-year follow-up, patients undergoing TAVR showed comparable death, stroke, and rehospitalization rates compared to those who underwent open-heart valve replacement surgery, according to the PARTNER 3 trial. However, TAVR had higher rates of valve thrombosis, highlighting the need for further research on the procedure's durability.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

NIH-funded studies show stents and surgery no better than medication, lifestyle changes at reducing the risk for heart attack

Two NIH-funded studies find that invasive procedures like stenting and surgery provide better symptom relief but not reduced risk for heart attack and death compared to medication and lifestyle changes. The trials followed over 5,000 patients with stable ischemic heart disease for three years.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 30, 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.

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.

Changing forests

Forests are shifting towards communities that can cope with greater water stress, driven by the death of less hardy trees and the growth of more resilient ones. This adaptation may buffer forests against climate change effects in the short term.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Progress of gender revolution

Despite improved measures of gender equality since 1970, recent decades have seen stalled progress, with some gaps widening. Women now outpace men in higher education and certain occupations, but overall trends suggest a need for cultural and institutional shifts to address remaining disparities.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Position statement highlights importance of sleep for physician self-care

Physician burnout is a significant public safety issue, exacerbated by sleep loss due to shift-work schedules, high workload, and stress. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advocates for improved sleep habits and support among physicians to prevent burnout and promote well-being.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMar 30, 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.

Projecting the outcomes of people's lives with AI isn't so simple

A mass study collaboration found that AI predictive models are not accurate in predicting life outcomes, particularly in the criminal justice system and social programs. The study used a large dataset of 13,000 data points from over 4,000 families, but even state-of-the-art modeling was not very accurate.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Tiny optical cavity could make quantum networks possible

Researchers at Caltech have successfully created a tiny optical cavity that can store and transmit quantum information, a crucial step towards building a quantum internet. The cavity allows scientists to efficiently collect and detect photons emitted by rare-earth ytterbium ions, enabling the creation of a quantum network.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2020

Rivaroxaban reduces risk in symptomatic PAD post-intervention

People with symptomatic PAD who took rivaroxaban with aspirin after revascularization had a significant reduction in the composite primary endpoint, including acute limb ischemia, major amputation, heart attack, ischemic stroke or cardiovascular death. Rivaroxaban also showed no excess in severe bleeding events.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 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.

The desire for information: Blissful ignorance or painful truth?

A new scale measures individuals' preferences for obtaining or avoiding information in various areas of life, including personal health and finances. Most people prefer to remain uninformed in certain domains, while others consistently choose to face the truth.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateMar 30, 2020

Cortisol and aging in chimpanzees

Chimpanzee cortisol levels increase with age, blunting natural diurnal rhythm and responding to stressors similarly to humans. Sex differences also emerge, with males exhibiting higher levels than females, particularly when exposed to attractive females.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

APS tip sheet: Untangling neurons with scattered light

Researchers recreated a three-dimensional image of brain connectivity using tissue scattering and biophysical models. The findings enhance scientists' ability to conceptualize the brain's architecture by allowing the creation of high-resolution images of nerve fiber arrangements.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 30, 2020

Risk of death from stroke falls by 24%

The study found that the risk of death from stroke fell by 24% over 15 years, with the one-year death rate decreasing from 32.6% to 20.15%. The risk of disability after a stroke also decreased by 23%, from 34.7% to 26.7%.

SourceNational Institute for Health Research·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 30, 2020

New explanation for sudden heat collapses in plasmas can help create fusion energy

Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory proposed a new theory to explain sawtooth instabilities in plasma, which could lead to more efficient fusion reactions. The theory suggests that localized instabilities can flatten pressure and temperature during the sawtooth cycle, explaining rapid heat collapses.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMar 30, 2020