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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 13


Page 13 of 42
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

First month of data shows children at low risk of COVID-19 infection, no hospitalizations

A new study reveals that children in Australia are at low risk of contracting COVID-19, with none requiring hospitalization. The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, analyzed 434 patients and found only four positive cases, highlighting the success of outpatient management for COVID-19 positive patients.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalEmergency Medicine Australasia·DateMay 21, 2020

Lungs of deceased COVID-19 patients show distinctive features

A study examining COVID-19 patient lungs found distinctive vascular features, including severe endothelial injury and blood clotting. Researchers also observed a unique pattern of pulmonary vascular disease progression in some cases compared to equally severe influenza infections.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 2020

New map reveals global scope of groundwater arsenic risk

A new study presents a detailed global prediction map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, revealing previously unidentified areas of potential contamination. The map highlights high-risk regions in Asia and South America, where millions are at risk of drinking water containing harmful levels of arsenic.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 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.

MIPT biophysicists found a way to take a peek at how membrane receptors work

Researchers at MIPT have developed a method to combine structural and spectroscopic approaches for studying membrane receptors. This allows for a detailed understanding of receptor functioning and behavior inside the cell, which is crucial for developing effective drugs.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalCurrent Opinion in Structural Biology·DateMay 21, 2020

A sole mate to prevent diabetic foot ulcers

Researchers developed a device that circulates cool water into pressure-relieving insoles to reduce foot temperature and diminish the risk of tissue breakdown. The device, TAPMARI, was tested in eight volunteers and showed promising results, potentially preventing thousands of amputations worldwide.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery·DateMay 21, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ultrasonic technique discloses the identity of graphite

Graphite exhibits stronger interplanar bond strength than previously believed, with an elastic constant of nearly 50 GPa, due to a short-range correlation effect selectively strengthening the potential energy surface. This discovery was made using a new ultrasonic measurement technique on defect-free monocrystalline graphite.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateMay 21, 2020

Harness artificial intelligence and take control your health

A University of South Australia research project aims to use digital technologies such as apps, wearables, and social media to improve people's behaviors and create lasting lifestyle changes that can ward off chronic disease. The goal is to make accessible and affordable health solutions for all Australians.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·DateMay 21, 2020

Women quotas in politics have unintended consequences

A study by University of Rochester researchers found that women quotas in India's local government elections led to a reduction in the representation of lower caste groups, while increasing the representation of Hindu upper castes. The quota policy aimed to increase female representation but ultimately had unintended consequences.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateMay 21, 2020

Sex bias in pain research

A review paper from McGill University found that pain research remains overwhelmingly biased towards male rodents, leading to ineffective treatments for female chronic pain sufferers. The study suggests that most current analgesics will largely work in men rather than women, highlighting a critical blind spot in pain research.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateMay 21, 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.

Startup firm aims to transform hydrogen fuel marketplace

Avium is developing a Dual Element Matrix Water Electrolyzer to generate hydrogen from water using electricity. The technology has the potential to make hydrogen production friendlier to the environment by reducing materials costs and increasing on-site generation.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·DateMay 21, 2020

Advanced manufacturing game changer

A team of Louisiana engineers and scientists, with federal funding from the National Science Foundation, are developing new technologies and materials to enhance structural safety and integrity in 3-D printing. They will use machine learning to efficiently discover and test optimal material compositions and processing methods.

SourceLouisiana State University·DateMay 21, 2020

Journal of Dental Research special issue explores a new era for the oral microbiome

The June 2020 issue of Journal of Dental Research explores the latest research on the oral microbiome, highlighting rapid progress in understanding its dynamics. The papers cover topics such as analyzing microbial communities, cultivating species, and their connections to oral health conditions like cancer and diabetes.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateMay 21, 2020

Adding a blend of spices to a meal may help lower inflammation

A Penn State study found that eating a meal with six grams of spice blend reduced inflammation markers compared to meals with less or no spices. The researchers discovered anti-inflammatory properties in the blend, which may help offset inflammation caused by high-carb and high-fat meals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 21, 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.

The ins and outs of sex change in medaka fish

A team of scientists from Nagoya University found that starving medaka larvae can cause sex reversal, revealing a potential link to environmental factors and metabolic processes. The study may provide insights into rare conditions in humans and other vertebrates where individuals have characteristics of both sexes.

SourceNagoya University·JournalBiology Open·DateMay 21, 2020

Visualization of functional components to characterize optimal composite electrodes

A new visualization method using atomic force microscopy is developed to determine the distribution of components in battery electrodes, providing insights into optimal composite electrode conditions. The method has potential to improve performance and safety of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateMay 21, 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.

Long-term resilience of Earth's tropical forests in warmer world

A long-term study found that tropical forests worldwide are likely to remain intact in moderate climate warming scenarios, with carbon storage capacities remaining stable. However, this thermal adaptation potential may not be fully realized due to rapid temperature rises and human disturbances like clearance, logging, or fires.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2020

Sex as stress management in microbes

Researchers found that Paramecium, a single-celled organism, uses sex as a way to cope with stress and increase survival rates. The study suggests a mechanistic link between sex and the stress response, where increased expression of heat shock proteins during sexual reproduction provides protection from stressors.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateMay 21, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

How to identify which interventions work best in a pandemic

Randomized controlled trials and epidemiological compartmental models can be used to evaluate the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions on disease transmission. By harnessing these methods, policymakers and scientists can reduce the human health, societal, and economic costs of a pandemic.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2020

Study could lead to new scale for stratifying neuroblastoma risk

Researchers developed a DNA marker to identify tumors that use an alternate lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism, which can help stratify patients into ultra-high risk categories. The study suggests a new scale for neuroblastoma risk stratification could lead to improved treatment outcomes.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 21, 2020

Multi-drug regimen for heart failure could meaningfully extend patients' lives

A new study suggests that a comprehensive multi-drug regimen for heart failure could significantly extend patients' lives, with potential benefits of up to six years and eight years free from cardiovascular events. The regimen, which combines newer therapies, may improve life expectancy across all age groups.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 21, 2020

Teleradiology enables social distancing during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Remote reading of imaging studies on home PACS workstations helps protect vulnerable radiologists and patients from COVID-19, while ensuring seamless interpretation capabilities in emergency scenarios. The study highlights the challenges and solutions in implementing teleradiology, including workstation assignments and workflow redesign.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMay 21, 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.

Scientists finally crack nature's most common chemical bond

UC Berkeley researchers develop a new catalyst to add functional groups to the strongest carbon-hydrogen bonds, opening doors to novel molecule synthesis. The breakthrough could lead to rapid production of complex structures for drugs, plastics, and other chemicals.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2020

Measuring blood damage

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to detect red blood cell damage in real-time, which could improve patient safety during dialysis. The technique uses mechanical resistance to measure changes in blood conductivity caused by damaged red blood cells.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 21, 2020

Selfie stick and fishing rod shed first light on ancient reptile

A 145 million-year-old ichthyosaur skeleton was studied using a selfie stick and fishing rod, revealing that Nannopterygius was a widespread species during the Late Jurassic. New discoveries found specimens in UK museums, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Kimmeridge, Dorset, expanding our knowledge of this ancient reptile.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateMay 21, 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.

Cell-culture based test systems for anticancer drug screening

Researchers at Kazan Federal University have developed new in vitro test systems for selecting effective antitumor drugs, which take into account the complex interactions between tumor cells and healthy tissue. The new models aim to improve primary screening of substances with antitumor activity.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateMay 21, 2020

Study quantifies China's chronic health burden for the first time

Researchers found that 62% of participants had physical multimorbidity in 2015, with the condition increasing with age, female gender, and educational level. The study concludes that concerted efforts are needed to reduce health inequalities due to multimorbidity and its adverse economic impact.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateMay 21, 2020

New technology can detect anti-virus antibody in 20 minutes

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a new method to detect anti-avian influenza virus antibody, which could be used to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The technology uses a portable fluorescence polarization analyzer that can examine multiple samples and detect the antibody in just 20 minutes.

SourceHokkaido University·DateMay 21, 2020
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.

3D-printed system speeds up solar cell testing from hours to minutes

A new 3D-printed system developed by Australian scientists can now analyze 16 sample perovskite-based solar cells simultaneously, significantly speeding up the testing process. The invention enables rapid evaluation of performance and commercial potential of new compounds, accelerating the development process for next-gen solar cells.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalSolar RRL·DateMay 20, 2020

Dana-Farber to test blood cancer drug in COVID-19 patients

Scientists are conducting a randomized trial to assess the efficacy of ibrutinib, a blood cancer treatment, in reducing supplemental oxygen needs and shortening hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. The goal is to improve survival rates among those with breathing problems caused by the virus.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateMay 20, 2020

Cutting edge two-photon microscopy system breaks new grounds in retinal imaging

Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology developed an adaptive optics two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy system for high-resolution in vivo fluorescence imaging of mouse retina. This breakthrough enables detailed study of retinal structures and dynamics, shedding new light on neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·DateMay 20, 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.

Canadian policy on corporate emissions translates to higher market value

Research by University of California, Davis professor Paul Griffin suggests a positive relation between Canadian firms' market value and their greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to early adoption of protocols and national policies offsetting climate impacts on the economy.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe British Accounting Review·DateMay 20, 2020

Malaria vaccines based on engineered parasites show safety, signs of efficacy

Two malaria vaccines developed using genetically engineered malaria parasites have shown safety and preliminary protection in phase 1/2a clinical trials. The vaccines, created by Isaie Reuling and Meta Roestenberg teams, delayed infections when exposed to mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum, the primary cause of malaria in h...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 20, 2020

Iron nanorobots go undercover

A new technique uses magnetic core-shell iron nanowires to track live-cell location and migration in real-time over many days, with potential applications in cancer treatment and stem cell therapies. The nanowires can selectively kill cancer cells while also providing noninvasive medical imaging capabilities.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Nanobiotechnology·DateMay 20, 2020
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.

Machine-learning tool could help develop tougher materials

Engineers have developed an AI-based rapid screening system to test fracture resistance in vast arrays of candidate materials. The system uses machine-learning to analyze the propagation of cracks through a material's molecular structure, reducing testing time from hours to milliseconds.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMatter·DateMay 20, 2020

Going nuclear on the moon and Mars

Nuclear fission reactors are being considered as top candidates to generate electricity in space due to their reliability and capacity. The technology has been tested and could provide a power source for several years, making it an attractive option for lunar and Martian settlements.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 20, 2020

Birth control pills affect the love hormone

A recent study by Aarhus University found that birth control pills increase oxytocin levels, potentially affecting romantic love and closeness. The research suggests that women on birth control may experience altered mood and diminished sense of attachment to partners.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 20, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Scientists find out which of the metazoans has the smallest known genome

Researchers from St Petersburg University have deciphered the Intoshia variabili gene, revealing a genome size of 15.3 million base pairs and 5,120 genes, including orphan genes unique to orthonectids. The study provides genetic evidence that orthonectids belong to Annelida, a type of animal with no real intraorganism parasites.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 20, 2020

Enrichment programs help children build knowledge

Enrichment programs have been shown to increase a child's ability to solidify new information and apply it to new situations. The study found that children who participated in these programs could differentiate between similar items even outside of the program's domain.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalChild Development·DateMay 20, 2020
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.