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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 18


Page 18 of 42

Sustainable palm oil? How environmental protection and poverty reduction can be reconciled

The expansion of oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction in local communities, particularly in Asia. However, large-scale deforestation and biodiversity loss are concerns due to the increased demand for palm oil, primarily used in food, fuel, and cosmetics industries.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAnnual Review of Resource Economics·DateMay 19, 2020

Cooperation can be contagious particularly when people see the benefit for others

Researchers found that exposing people to prosocial models and modeling elicits subsequent helpful acts, driven by goal contagion. People are more motivated to help after witnessing others benefit from the model than when they themselves benefit. This framework can influence new prosocial behaviors amid the pandemic.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateMay 19, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Protein shapes matter in Alzheimer's research

Researchers found that acetylation at lysine 16 leads to disordered aggregates with high toxicity, highlighting the importance of protein shape in amyloid beta toxicity. The study aims to better understand the complexity of misfolded proteins and their role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·DateMay 19, 2020

Reconstructing oceanic nitrous oxide emissions

Using supervised learning algorithm, researchers reduced uncertainty in oceanic N2O emissions by substantial margins. The study reveals a vigorous seasonal cycle dominated by tropical and coastal upwelling regions

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers from University Hospital of Toulouse treated a severely ill patient with COVID-19 using tocilizumab, a biological agent targeting inflammatory cytokines. The patient showed dramatic improvement in respiratory outcomes, suggesting potential benefits for patients with the most severe forms of COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 18, 2020

Jurassic stick insect performed mimicry to defend against predators

Researchers discovered a Jurassic stick insect that employed mimicry by resembling ferns to protect itself from predators. The discovery reveals the earliest known specializations for mimicry and defense in stick insects, dating back 165 million years. This finding sheds light on the evolution of these remarkable insects.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 18, 2020

Spatial analysis of Australian wildfires

Recent Australian wildfires highlight the need for new fire, resource, and conservation policies to reduce megafires and alter timber production. Researchers suggest protecting unburnt areas and expanding conservation zones to restore repeatedly damaged ecosystems.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 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.

Gestures heard as well as seen

Researchers found that gesturing while speaking affects the sound of a person's voice, adding acoustic emphasis. The study suggests that gestures carry additional information about bodily tension and motion, contradicting traditional views on language.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 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.

Analysis of bird species reveals how wings adapted to their environment and behavior

New research analyzing over 10,000 bird species reveals that wing shape adapted for long-distance flight is primarily driven by temperature variability, territory defense, and migration. This geographic pattern has significant implications for understanding biodiversity and may explain smaller geographical ranges in tropical species.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 18, 2020

Maintaining heart health may protect against cognitive decline

Researchers found that individuals with higher cardiovascular risk burdens experienced faster declines in episodic memory and working memory, as well as smaller hippocampal volumes. Maintaining heart health may be key to preventing cognitive decline, according to the study's findings.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 18, 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.

COVID-19: Managing mental health with yoga

New research from the University of South Australia shows that movement-based yoga can significantly improve mental health for individuals with a range of mental disorders. The study, which examined 19 studies across six countries, found incremental benefits with increased yoga practice.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 18, 2020

How climate killed corals

A study by Kris Karnauskas found that a marine heatwave followed by a terrestrial one, exacerbated by global warming, led to the massive coral bleaching event. The warm water persisted for months, causing extensive damage to the ecosystem and drastically changing species composition.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2020

Riddled with holes: Making flexible thin-film electronics more durable

A research team developed a method to improve the durability of thin-film flexible electrodes and transistors by creating a zigzag pattern of micrometer-sized holes. This approach reduces stress distribution and prevents crack propagation, allowing devices to withstand thousands of bending cycles.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 18, 2020
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.

Study: How to identify patients most at risk from COVID-19 through nanotechnology

A Michigan State University scientist has proposed a point-of-care diagnostic platform using nanotechnology to diagnose COVID-19 infection and assess future risk. The platform uses nanoparticles or magnetic levitation to analyze biological fluids, creating unique patterns that can identify patients at high risk of death.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateMay 18, 2020

New study shows wildfires increasing in size and frequency across Victoria

A new study by ANU researchers shows that Victorian bushfires have burned over 1.5 million hectares since 1995, with more than 600,000 hectares burning twice and over 112,000 hectares burning three times. This has led to a significant impact on ecosystems, biodiversity, and industry.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 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.

Should schools go screen-free

A study by Dr. Pooja Tandon found that 33% of middle schools and 69% of high schools do not restrict phone use during these times. Limiting phone use is believed to decrease screen exposure, improve focus in the classroom, and promote physically active play.

SourceSeattle Children's·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 18, 2020

Mindfulness training shows promise for people with MS

A new study found that mindfulness training can help multiple sclerosis patients regulate their negative emotions and improve their processing speed. The four-week program showed benefits over adaptive cognitive training and a waitlist control group.

SourceOhio State University·JournalRehabilitation Psychology·DateMay 18, 2020

Fly on the wall

Scientists used virtual reality to simulate a naturalistic environment for insects, revealing their ability to use perspective and motion parallax to locate food sources. The study also showed that airflow cues play a crucial role in orienting flies, especially in the absence of visual cues.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

Egregious emissions

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that a small percentage of industrial facilities are responsible for the majority of toxic pollution year after year. The researchers analyzed data from over 25,000 facilities across 322 manufacturing industries and found that only 1,116 can be characterized as 'super poll...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2020
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.

Preserving crop diversity: Launch of EU research project AGENT

The EU's new AGENT research project aims to establish a global network of actively cooperating gene banks and convert them into digital resource centers. The project seeks to standardize gene bank management and verification, making plant genetic resources more accessible to researchers and breeders worldwide.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·DateMay 18, 2020

Not all multiple sclerosis-like diseases are alike

Scientists discovered that patients with certain inflammatory demyelinating diseases have auto-immune antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), which is thought to be important in maintaining the myelin sheath's structural integrity. This finding suggests that therapeutic strategies need to be individualized for pat...

SourceTohoku University·JournalBrain·DateMay 18, 2020

Double helix of masonry -- Researchers discover the secret of Italian renaissance domes

Researchers at Princeton University and University of Bergamo analyzed how famous Renaissance domes were built without shoring or forms, quantitatively proving physics behind their structure. The study reveals forces that allow structures to be self-supporting, advancing modern construction techniques and potential environmental benefits.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalEngineering Structures·DateMay 18, 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.

Early Bird uses 10 times less energy to train deep neural networks

Researchers developed Early Bird, an energy-efficient method for training deep neural networks, which can use 10.7 times less energy than traditional methods to achieve the same level of accuracy. This breakthrough could lead to significant cost savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceRice University·DateMay 18, 2020

Lighting up cells with genetically-encoded X-ray-sensitive probes

Researchers have developed genetically-encoded X-ray-sensitive tags for site-specific labeling of protein-of-interest in mammalian cells. This enables endogenous labeling of diverse molecules and subcellular structures with an ultrahigh spatial resolution of ~30 nm. The high photostability of these tags allows long-term observation of ...

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 18, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Smoking increases SARS-CoV-2 receptors in the lung

Research suggests that cigarette smoke triggers an increase in ACE2 receptors in the lungs, a protein used by the coronavirus to enter human cells. Quitting smoking may reduce this risk.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMay 18, 2020

Trends in tropical cyclone intensity

Tropical cyclones have increased in intensity over the past four decades, with wind speeds of at least 100 knots rising by approximately 15% between early and latter halves of record. The increase corresponds to a statistically significant rate of 8% per decade, consistent with physical theory and numerical simulations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 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.

How flying insects navigate

Flying insects integrate visual, olfactory, and aerodynamic cues to locate objects in 3D space. Research using virtual reality revealed that Dipteran species use depth cues, wind tunnel-like airflow fields, and odor information to navigate.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

Exoplanet climate 'decoder' aids search for life

Cornell University astronomers have developed a practical model to tease out climate clues for potentially habitable exoplanets. By analyzing the effects of planetary surface color and light from its host star, they can calculate a climate, providing valuable insights into the detectable spectra of Earth-like planets.

SourceCornell University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 18, 2020

FSU researcher detects unknown submarine landslides in Gulf of Mexico

A Florida State University researcher has identified 85 previously unknown submarine landslides in the Gulf of Mexico between 2008 and 2015. These landslides pose significant risks to coastal communities and seabed infrastructure, including oil platforms and pipelines.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 18, 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.

Urban heat waves imperil LA's most vulnerable communities

A new USC study highlights the disproportionate impact of urban heat waves on low-income and disadvantaged communities in LA, with over half of census tracts expected to experience more than 16 extreme heat days above 95F per year by the end of the century.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2020

New LAT1 inhibitor can boost cancer treatment

A new LAT1 inhibitor has been developed that can induce apoptosis in cancer cells without affecting brain amino acid homeostasis. The inhibitor was tested in vitro and found to be hemocompatible, making it a promising treatment option for various cancers.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAPOPTOSIS·DateMay 18, 2020

High five! It's possible to create proximity online

A study from Linköping University shows that proximity in video calls is established mainly by way of the body and senses, such as giving a digital high five. Humour and creativity also play a role in creating emotional proximity.

SourceLinköping University·JournalJournal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development·DateMay 18, 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.

Cancer researchers locate drivers of tumor resistance

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio identified key drivers of tumor plasticity, a phenomenon where cancer cells change their behavior to evade treatments. The study found that targeting these genetic signals could increase therapy effectiveness and potentially cure more cancers.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMay 18, 2020