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Science News Archive May 2020


Page 31 of 42

Exploring why some COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell

Researchers discovered that older mice made more of the two proteins in nasal cells than younger ones, explaining why older people are more susceptible to COVID-19. The study also found that sustentacular cells could potentially be infected by SARS-CoV-2, providing a route to infect the brain.

Microalgae food for honey bees

Research shows microalgae Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) closely matches pollen's essential amino acids and lipids required by honey bees. Spirulina also contains prebiotics supporting healthy gut bacteria growth.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vocalizations and body movement

Researchers found that participants synchronized their arm movements with those of the vocalizer, even with subtle and hard-to-detect movements. The study suggests that musculoskeletal tensioning affects speech, allowing for communication cues like excitement to be perceived through gesture-induced acoustics.

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.

Are our brains hard-wired for longing?

A recent brain imaging study suggests that the absence of a partner can strengthen the motivation to reunite, potentially driving the instinct to form lasting bonds. The research found unique clusters of cells in the brain associated with reunion and social distancing, shedding light on why social distancing is tough.

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.

Raise your glass: New nanotech clears haze from white wine

Researchers have developed a novel magnetic nanotechnology that quickly and efficiently removes haze-forming proteins in white wine. The technology shows promise as a valuable and sustainable alternative to conventional bentonite fining treatments, potentially saving the wine industry millions annually.

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.

Cancer research breakthrough as DNA behavior is uncovered in 3D models

Scientists used 3D models to study cancer cell DNA behavior, validating the use of these models for cancer research. The research team characterized the epigenetic fingerprint of human cancer organoids, showing that they closely resemble patient tumors and can be used to develop new oncology treatments.

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.

A tale of two kinds of volcanoes

Researchers analyzed volcanic samples from Santorini and Aegina to understand why they have different eruption styles. The study found that the islands' locations on the Aegean microplate led to varying lava mix recipes, resulting in calderas versus lava domes.

Rich interface defects accelerate the electro-oxidation of 5-HMF

A study by Dr. Yuqin Zou and colleagues reveals that hierarchically nanostructured NiO-Co3O4 electrodes with plentiful interface defects exhibit excellent HMF oxidation activity and stability. The researchers demonstrate the positive role of cation vacancies in catalyzing the electro-oxidation process.

New study examines lifting of pub and nightclub restrictions

A new University of Stirling study aims to understand how easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions can be managed to protect emergency services. The project will investigate policy options for reopening pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants while minimizing infection risks.

Why the 'uplift of the Tibetan plateau' is a myth

The 'uplift of the Tibetan Plateau' concept is debunked due to contradictory paleoaltimetric estimates, isotopic bias, and re-dating of key sites. The region's complex topography was formed before the India-Eurasia collision, with uplift beginning in the Eocene.

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.

Prehistoric sea creatures evolved pebble-shaped teeth to crush shellfish

The discovery of pebble-shaped teeth in the fossil of Cartorhynchus lenticarpus, an early ichthyosaur species, sheds light on how these animals adapted to their environments. The unusual rounded teeth, likely used for crushing shells, suggest that smaller ichthyosaurs like Cartorhynchus lived closer to shore and fed on invertebrates.

Inspired by cheetahs, researchers build fastest soft robots yet

The new soft robotics, called LEAP, have a spring-powered spine that enables rapid switching between stable states, allowing for faster movement and more forceful grasping. This innovation outperforms previous soft robots by reaching speeds of up to three times faster on solid surfaces.

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.

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.

To climb like a gecko, robots need toes

Researchers studied geckos' unique toe mechanism, which allows them to adjust and distribute weight on various surfaces. This adaptation enables agile locomotion and is crucial for designing effective robot feet and grippers.

Chemistry breakthrough could speed up drug development

Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a new method to grow crystals of organic soluble molecules from nanoscale droplets, allowing for rapid screening of hundreds of experiments in minutes. This breakthrough could transform the analysis of small molecules and accelerate the discovery of new pharmaceutical agents.

IST Austria scientists demonstrate quantum radar prototype

Researchers at IST Austria have demonstrated a new detection technology called microwave quantum illumination that utilizes entangled microwave photons to detect objects in noisy thermal environments. The technology has potential applications for ultra-low power biomedical imaging and security scanners.

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.

Fishing can disrupt mating systems

Size-selective fisheries can impair reproductive success in fish populations by reducing the availability of reproductively superior large individuals. This, in turn, affects population growth and resilience, as sexual selection cannot operate effectively without a sufficient pool of optimal mates.

First simulation of a full-sized mitochondrial membrane

Researchers from the University of Groningen developed an algorithm that links large-scale changes to molecular-level simulations, enabling the simulation of a full-sized mitochondrial lipid membrane. This breakthrough allows for whole-cell simulations at a molecular level.

Stretched beyond the limits

Scientists discovered that collagen produces harmful radicals when stretched, but these are quickly scavenged by nearby aromatic residues. The study suggests that collagen has evolved as a radical sponge to combat damage and may hold promise for improving tissue repair and transplantation in sports medicine.

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.

Scientists have created new nanocomposite from gold and titanium oxide

Researchers at ITMO University have successfully created a new nanocomposite from gold and titanium oxide by using lasers to tune its structure and properties. The technique enables better control over the nanocomposite's formation and has potential applications in industries such as air purification and fuel cells.

Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses

Researchers at Penn State have successfully developed a novel plasma medicine technique that effectively targets and kills bacteria in liquid cultures without developing resistance. The process uses low-temperature plasma generated from atmospheric pressure or liquids, creating reactive particles with antibacterial effects.

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.

Protein shredder regulates fat metabolism in the brain

Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered that gamma-secretase, a protein shredder, indirectly regulates fat metabolism in brain cells. This process can lead to adiposis, disrupting cellular functions, while also having potential benefits against cancer by inhibiting tumor cell division.

Transporting energy through a single molecular nanowire

Researchers have discovered that single molecular nanowires outperform bundles in transporting energy with minimal losses. Coherence, which enables delocalized energy movement across multiple molecules, is lost in bundled fibers due to strain, hindering efficient energy transfer.

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.

New study shines light on mysterious giant viruses

A team of Michigan State University scientists developed a reliable model to study giant viruses, identifying key proteins that orchestrate infection and release their genome. The study revealed three environmental conditions that induce stargate opening, allowing researchers to mimic stages of infection with high frequency.

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 in pets and livestock

A new paper identifies urgent issues to consider, including potential animal-to-human transmission, food security concerns, and national security threats if military service dogs are infected. Stringent studies are needed to understand the risks posed by domestic animals as a possible source for human infection.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Perspective: Rapid COVID-19 vaccine development

The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is critical to preventing repeated epidemics due to the human population's naivety to the virus. A judicious approach involves evaluating candidate vaccines in healthy adults while also using animal models, with parallel process development for efficient production scale-up.

Immune system discovery paves way to lengthen organ transplant survival

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to a significant increase in long-term survival of transplanted organs. The study found that the innate immune system can specifically remember foreign cells, paving the way for new drugs that can prevent chronic rejection.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.