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Science News Archive May 2020


Page 11 of 42

MSU scientists solve half-century-old magnesium dimer mystery

Researchers at MSU solved the long-standing enigma of the magnesium dimer's high-lying vibrational states using advanced computational methods. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, provide new insights into the molecule's behavior and pave the way for future experimental studies.

Viewing COVID-19 through the lens of data science

The Harvard Data Science Review special issue delves into the COVID-19 pandemic's complex issues, incorporating data-driven insights to better understand its effects. The rolling publication series offers a unique perspective on the crisis, combining multiple disciplines for a comprehensive understanding.

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.

ALMA spots twinkling heart of Milky Way

Astronomers using ALMA have spotted quasi-periodic flickers in millimeter-waves from the center of the Milky Way, suggesting a rotating radio spot circling a supermassive black hole. The findings provide insight into space-time with extreme gravity and may shed light on the behavior of gas around the black hole.

Combinatorial screening approach opens path to better-quality joint cartilage

A collaborative research team has developed a multi-component biomaterial-based screening approach that identifies material compositions and mechanical stimuli enabling human stem cells to differentiate into cells capable of generating higher-quality articular cartilage. The study uses high-throughput screening with multiple combinatio...

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.

When predictions of theoretical chemists become reality

Researchers have successfully synthesized a 2D honeycomb kagome polymer, revealing predicted topological properties and opening up new possibilities for electronic devices. The material's unique structure combines the properties of graphene and superconductors.

Still not enough women and older adults in cholesterol drug trials, study finds

A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that women and older adults are still vastly underrepresented in lipid lowering therapy trials, despite their high disease burden. The researchers analyzed 60 studies from 1990 to 2018 and reported a modest increase in representation of women, but many trials excluded pregnant or breastfeeding wo...

Algal genome provides insights into first land plants

The Penium margaritaceum genome provides insights into the origins of land plants by revealing footprints of adaptations for UV radiation protection and cell wall structure. The genome contains genes involved in regulatory systems, hormone signaling, and mucilage production, which are essential for structural support.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Glucose levels linked to maternal mortality even in non-diabetic women

A new study has found that high blood glucose levels before pregnancy can increase the risk of severe maternal morbidity and death, even in women without diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 31,000 women and found that elevated hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes

NASA examines tropical storm Mangga in infrared light

NASA's Aqua satellite gathers temperature information about Tropical Storm Mangga's cloud tops, revealing powerful thunderstorms with potential to generate heavy rainfall. The strongest storms have coldest cloud top temperatures, indicating strong and potentially destructive weather.

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.

Cell reproduction dogma challenged

Researchers from CNRS and IGBMC demonstrate that meiosis in mice begins and proceeds normally even without retinoic acid. Meiosis is a crucial process for the transmission of unique sets of genes to offspring, resulting in novel assortments of chromosomes.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Onboard separation technology set to improve fuel economy

A new onboard separation technology developed at PNNL can separate ethanol from gasoline, enabling an octane-on-demand system that improves fuel economy. The technology has shown promising results in separating 95% of ethanol from commercial gasoline.

A stitch in time: How a quantum physicist invented new code from old tricks

A quantum physicist at the University of Sydney has invented a new type of error-correcting code for quantum computers that will free up more hardware to do useful calculations. This approach allows companies like Google and IBM to design better quantum microchips, enabling the development of large-scale quantum technology.

A clue as to why it's so hard to wake up on a cold winter's morning

A study of fruit fly sensory neurons has identified a 'thermometer' circuit that relays cold temperature information to the brain, inhibiting morning wakefulness. This finding sheds light on why humans struggle to wake up in winter and may have implications for understanding human sleep regulation.

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.

'Time is vision' after a stroke

Stroke survivors who receive early visual training can recover more of their lost vision than those trained later. Researchers discovered that the brain's visual structures degenerate over time after an occipital stroke, but early intervention can halt this loss.

Researchers uncover the arks of genetic diversity in terrestrial mammals

A new study maps genetic diversity in terrestrial mammals, revealing regions with high evolutionary history and stable climates as strongholds of genetic diversity. The research suggests that conservation efforts should prioritize the protection of these 'arks of biodiversity' due to climate change.

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.

Why toothpaste and cement harden over time

Researchers found that contacts form between particles, stabilizing microstructure and stiffening materials. This discovery explains age-related changes in paste materials and has implications for industries using similar materials.

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.

Researchers review advances in 3D printing of high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) exhibit remarkable mechanical properties at high temperatures and exceptional strength, ductility, and fracture toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Researchers reviewed the recent achievements in 3D printing of HEAs, validating laser-based techniques for producing high-quality products.

Can oilfield water safely be reused for irrigation in California?

A new study by Duke University researchers finds that reusing oilfield water in California's Kern County does not pose major health risks. The water can be safely used for irrigation if mixed with surface water, but farmers must plant boron-tolerant crops and monitor soil quality to avoid potential issues.

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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers from McMaster University discuss cloth masks and ventilation techniques in reducing COVID-19 transmission. They conclude that noninvasive ventilation may reduce mortality but increase risk for healthcare workers.

Blood flow recovers faster than brain in micro strokes

A Rice University study reveals that blood flow to the brain recovers faster than brain function after a microstroke. The research used advanced neural monitoring technology to measure both blood flow and neuronal recovery simultaneously, showing a significant disconnect between the two processes.

New urine testing method holds promise for kidney stone sufferers

A new urine-testing system inspired by nature can identify metabolites that cause kidney stones to form, enabling patients to receive results within 30 minutes. The test is more cost-effective and simpler than current methods, making it a promising solution for managing urinary stone disease.

Preclinical study offers hope for Hirschsprung's

A preclinical study led by Children's Hospital Los Angeles surgeon Tracy Grikscheit successfully grew a fully functional gut nervous system in a pre-clinical model, offering hope for babies with Hirschsprung's disease. The study uses tissue engineering to grow the complete nervous system from scratch.

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.

When plant pollen scarce, bumblebees biting leaves causes flowers to bloom early

A new study reveals that bumblebees bite leaves of flowerless plants to accelerate flowering, causing blooms to occur two weeks to a month earlier. This behavior suggests that bumblebees can manipulate plant flowering through deliberate damage, providing pollination systems with more plasticity and resilience to climate change.

Brain's 'updating mechanisms' may create false memories

A new study reveals that the brain can update poorly formed memories with incorrect information, leading to inaccurate recall. The research suggests targeting updating mechanisms therapeutically to treat memory and anxiety disorders.

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.

Stroke rates among COVID-19 patients are low, but cases are more severe

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients with ischemic strokes tend to be younger and have more severe strokes compared to non-COVID stroke patients. Additionally, the rate of imaging-confirmed acute ischemic stroke in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is lower globally than for non-COVID patients.

Study considers the impact of 'new' home working arrangements on well-being

A new University of Stirling study investigates the effects of full-time home-based work on productivity and wellbeing, particularly among lower socio-economic groups. The £275,000 project aims to identify key challenges and develop coping strategies for workers and their households during this unprecedented shift.

Towable sensor free-falls to measure vertical slices of ocean conditions

Researchers at MIT and WHOI have developed a lightweight instrument that can measure both physical and biological features of the ocean's vertical layers. The EcoCTD uses a combination of sensors to capture data on temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll content, providing insights into nutrient cycles and carbon sequestration.

NIST researchers boost microwave signal stability a hundredfold

Researchers at NIST have developed a technology that boosts the stability of microwave signals 100-fold, enabling more accurate time dissemination, navigation, and imaging. The new method uses advanced atomic clocks and frequency combs to transfer optical clock stability to the microwave domain.

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.

Tropical forests can handle the heat, up to a point

Researchers found that tropical forests can handle heat up to a certain threshold of 32 degrees Celsius, but limiting global temperatures is crucial to avoid accelerating climate change. The study analyzed over half a million trees across 813 forests in the tropics.