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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 2


Page 2 of 42

Scientists develop sorbent for purifying water from radioactive elements

Researchers create a new sorbent to extract hazardous radionuclides cesium (137Cs) and strontium (90Sr) from contaminated water. The sorbent can be used in both static and dynamic modes, with high filtration efficiency, and can be regenerated for up to five cycles.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalJournal of Materials Science·DateMay 29, 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.

Assessing cancer diagnosis in children with birth defects

Researchers found that children with birth defects are more likely to develop certain types of cancer, including neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma, and are diagnosed earlier in life. The study compared data from nearly 14,000 children with cancer to those with cancer and one or more birth defects.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCancer·DateMay 29, 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.

Taking a deep look into animals

A new method dubbed 'DEEP-Clear' allows researchers to visualize individual cells and their extensions in complex tissues like the brain. This approach enables scientists to capture 3D images of cells and tissues without sectioning, opening up new avenues for studying neural stem cell biology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 29, 2020

Immunotherapy for bowel cancer could change clinical practice

A large international trial found that pembrolizumab more than doubled the progression-free survival time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, compared to chemotherapy. The treatment also showed durable benefits, with 48.3% of patients experiencing no disease progression after two years.

SourceUniversity College London·DateMay 29, 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.

Study charts developmental map of inner ear sound sensor in mice

A team of researchers generated a developmental map of the mouse inner ear's sound-sensing structure, providing insights into genetic programs that drive cell formation. The study sheds light on underlying causes of hearing loss linked to Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys-Dietz syndromes.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 29, 2020

Limits on evolution revealed by statistical physics

Researchers used statistical physics models to study biological complexity and found that organisms are restricted to a low level of dimensionality. This means that their essential building blocks appear to be linked to each other, with variations fitting a one-dimensional curve or low-dimensional surface regardless of the environment.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 29, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UTEP study examines COVID-19 stress, coping strategies, and well-being

A UTEP study found that active coping, denial, emotional support, humor, and religion are effective coping strategies for individuals with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aimed to understand how these individuals perceive the pandemic and how their coping mechanisms relate to their well-being.

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalRehabilitation Psychology·DateMay 29, 2020

A hormone -- plant style

Scientists at Bielefeld University have created a method to produce a biologically significant precursor of jasmonic acid, a hormone that helps plants defend against predators. The new approach mimics how plants naturally produce the hormone, using enzymes as plant catalysts in a synthetic process.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMay 29, 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.

Neuropathogenesis, neurologic manifestations of coronaviruses

Researchers identify SARS-CoV-2's entry route into the central nervous system and report neurological complications of COVID-19 in a narrative review. Potential tissue targets are also identified for future research to understand the neuropathogenesis of coronaviruses.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 29, 2020

Watcher' tracks coronavirus in Cincinnati and beyond

Two University of Cincinnati students developed an interactive dashboard to track COVID-19 cases and deaths. The COVID-19 Watcher displays data from every county and metropolitan area, allowing users to compare their city's progression with others.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMay 29, 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.

Evolution of pandemic coronavirus outlines path from animals to humans

Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a bat coronavirus and gained the ability to infect humans through exchanging a gene fragment with a pangolin coronavirus. The virus's genetic material was altered to bind to host cells, making it possible for it to infect human respiratory and intestinal epithelial cells.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 29, 2020

A deep dive into better understanding nitrogen impacts

Human activity significantly disrupts the natural balance of nitrogen, posing a threat to terrestrial and aquatic life. The special issue examines the cascading consequences of rising nitrogen levels in circulation.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMay 28, 2020

Electric pulses precisely shape 3D-printed metal parts

Researchers at Saarland University have developed a non-contact method to transform 3D-printed metal parts into precision-finished components with complex geometries and tight tolerances. The technique combines metal 3D printing and electrochemical machining to produce high-precision functional surfaces.

SourceSaarland University·DateMay 28, 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.

ESPRESSO confirms the presence of an Earth around the nearest star

The ESPRESSO spectrograph has confirmed the existence of Proxima b, a planet the size of Earth orbiting Proxima Centauri in just 11.2 days. The discovery reveals that Proxima b is located in its star's habitable zone and could potentially harbor life.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMay 28, 2020

CT findings of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children 'often negative'

A case series of 30 pediatric patients with COVID-19 found that 77% had negative chest CT findings, while the subset with positive results showed common patterns such as bilateral ground-glass opacities and lower lobe predominance. Age correlated with increasing severity of findings.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMay 28, 2020
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.

MRI pregnancy study gives new insights into the all-important placenta

Researchers used MRI to investigate blood flow to the placenta in healthy and pre-eclampsia pregnancies, identifying differences in blood flow and a new phenomenon called the 'uteroplacental pump'. This finding could help explain why babies born to mothers with pre-eclampsia are often small and premature.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 28, 2020

Heart surgery stalled as COVID-19 spread

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant reduction in cardiac surgeries worldwide, with an average of 50-75% decrease in procedures. Hospitals are now working to resume operations while protecting patients and staff from SARS-CoV-2. Experts have developed recommendations for safely resuming cardiac surgery activity.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCirculation·DateMay 28, 2020

A new horizon for vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy

Researchers developed solid state and time-step VCD methods to study chirality amplification in supramolecular systems. These enhancements allowed detection of chiral gels, metal complexes, and molecular pairs on solid surfaces, opening a new horizon for VCD spectroscopy.

SourceEhime University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMay 28, 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.

New study finds cannibalism in predatory dinosaurs

Researchers found high frequencies of theropod bite marks on large-bodied sauropods, armored Mymoorapelta, and other dinosaurs at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry site. The data suggests an ecosystem where dinosaur remains lay out for months, providing a food source for multiple predators and scavengers.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 28, 2020

Scientists discover a gene to stay thin

Researchers identify ALK as a candidate gene for thinness by studying Estonian population cohort and finding it is involved in regulating energy expenditure and sympathetic tone. ALK deficient mice exhibit reduced fat mass and protected against diet-induced obesity.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2020

Reusable face mask could be answer to PPE shortfall

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are developing a reusable face mask that can kill viruses caught on its surface using heat. The design features a thin, breathable film made from engineered carbon nanomaterials as a heatable filter retrofitted onto commercial masks.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateMay 28, 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.

Stanford Medicine study details molecular effects of exercise

A new Stanford Medicine study provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular effects of exercise, shedding light on how physical fitness is determined at a molecular level. The research reveals a strong correlation between specific molecules and an individual's aerobic fitness, paving the way for the development of a blood test tha...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2020

Ludwig Lausanne study charts the immune landscape of multiple brain cancers

The study profiles 14 subtypes of immune cells in 100 brain tumor samples and reveals five types that predominantly sculpt the brain TME. The researchers found distinct patterns of immune cell composition and function among different glioma subtypes, including low-grade and high-grade gliomas.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2020

Material and genetic resemblance in the Bronze Age Southern Levant

The study reveals strong genetic resemblance among Bronze Age Southern Levant populations, including a significant Caucasus/Zagros component and Chalcolithic Zagros ancestry. The movement of people from the northeast into the region started as early as 4,500 years ago and continued throughout the Bronze Age.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 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.

Algorithm quickly simulates a roll of loaded dice

The Fast Loaded Dice Roller (FLDR) algorithm simulates the roll of loaded dice to produce random integers with the best combination of speed, accuracy, and low memory requirements. FLDR can use up to 10,000 times less memory storage space than existing methods.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 28, 2020

Two paths better than one for treating patients with heart stents

A recent study by cardiologists at the University of Alberta found that combining a blood-thinning drug rivaroxaban with aspirin daily reduces major adverse events and mortality rates in patients with chronic coronary disease who have had an angioplasty. The treatment was found to be significantly better than aspirin alone in preventin...

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCirculation·DateMay 28, 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.

Modelling predicts COVID-19 resurgence if physical distancing relaxed

Research suggests that if physical distancing measures are relaxed too much or too quickly, hospitals may be overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and experience exponential growth in deaths. The study found that increasing contacts above 50% of pre-pandemic levels would lead to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 28, 2020

The death marker protein cleans up your muscles after exercise

Researchers found that a single intense bike ride increases Ubiquitin tagging on worn-out proteins, leading to their degradation and removal. This process helps maintain muscle health and function by replacing damaged proteins with new ones.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMay 28, 2020

Stronger tropical cyclones strengthen the Kuroshio Current, further heating high latitudes

Intensifying tropical cyclones strengthen ocean eddies feeding the Kuroshio Current, accelerating it and transferring more heat energy to mid- and high-latitude ocean waters. This phenomenon highlights a positive feedback loop between TCs and climate warming, potentially impacting future climate predictions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 28, 2020

Hydropower plants to support solar and wind energy in West Africa

A new study maps the potential for 'solar-wind-water' strategies in West Africa, finding that flexibly dispatched hydropower can increase renewable power generation by over 30%. Hydropower plants can support solar and wind energy, reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMay 28, 2020

Student-school mismatch

Researchers found that up to 28% of students in Moscow chose a university below their academic ability, limiting life opportunities. The study highlights the impact of family background and parental influence on undermatching, with parents from lower socioeconomic status often advising less prestigious universities.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalEuropean Journal of Education·DateMay 28, 2020
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 marine molecules with therapy potential against Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Barcelona discovered two marine molecules, meridianine and lignarenone B, that can alter GSK3B activity without causing neurotoxic effects. These compounds promote neuronal plasticity and may offer a promising starting point for developing new drugs against Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalBiomolecules·DateMay 28, 2020

Convenient location of a near-threshold proton-emitting resonance in 11B

Researchers found a collective resonance in 11B that explains the mysterious β-delayed proton decay of the neutron halo ground state of 11Be. The resonance has features similar to a nearby proton emission channel, suggesting that it may be involved in a quasi-free decay process.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 28, 2020

A single proton can make a heck of a difference

Researchers at RIKEN found that knocking out a single proton from a fluorine nucleus transforms it into a neutron-rich isotope of oxygen. This transformation has a significant effect on the state of the nucleus, defying conventional wisdom and sparking further investigation.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 28, 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.

Human mobility and Western Asia's early state-level societies

Archaeogenomic analysis reveals two influential genetic events and evidence of long-distance individual movement in Anatolia, Northern Levant, and the Southern Caucasus. Genetic mixing and individual mobility were key factors in the development of regional genetic melting pots and early state-level societies.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2020