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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 31


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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·DateMay 11, 2020

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.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalApidologie·DateMay 11, 2020

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2020

Single-cell RNA seq developed to accurately quantify cell-specific drug effects in pancreatic islets

Researchers developed a novel approach to decontaminate single-cell RNA seq data, allowing for accurate quantification of cell-specific drug effects in pancreatic islets. The method revealed species-specific and cell-type-specific responses to drugs, including the induction of insulin production in alpha cells.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalGenome Biology·DateMay 11, 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.

Scientists reveal solar system's oldest molecular fluids could hold the key to early life

Researchers used atom-probe tomography to study minerals from an asteroid over 4.5 billion years ago, discovering water precipitates that suggest the presence of sodium-rich fluids. These conditions are ideal for amino acid synthesis, potentially supporting microbial life formation as early as 4.5 billion years ago.

SourceRoyal Ontario Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2020

Loss of green space in India shown to be associated with higher cardiometabolic risk

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a strong association between the loss of green space and an increase in cardiometabolic risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and hyperglycaemia. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 adults living in an area south of Hyderabad undergoing urbanization.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 11, 2020

Bumble bee disease, reproduction shaped by flowering strip plants

A study found that flowering strips benefit bumble bee colony reproduction by providing floral resources, but also increases the risk of a certain pathogen infection rate. However, the impact on foraging behavior and mortality was not significant.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFoods·DateMay 10, 2020

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.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalEpigenetics·DateMay 10, 2020

A new plant-based system for the mass production of allergens for immunotherapy

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed a novel high-yield method for producing the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 in plant leaves. The new system enables rapid and massive production of allergens, which can be used in clinical settings to desensitize patients to environmental allergies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMay 10, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalLithos·DateMay 9, 2020

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.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateMay 9, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·DateMay 9, 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.

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.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 9, 2020

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.

SourceField Museum·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 8, 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.

Neighborhood and cognitive performance in middle-age: Does racial residential segregation matter?

A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found a strong association between long-term exposure to segregated neighborhoods and decreased processing speed in midlife. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 black participants and found that high segregation was linked to poorer cognitive function.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 8, 2020

The role of European policy for improving power plant fuel efficiency

A new study published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists finds that European Union Emissions Trading Scheme improves power plant fuel efficiency, reducing annual carbon emissions by 1.5 to 2 percent in Germany.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateMay 8, 2020

OSU study shows grange a 'natural partner' for expanding health outreach

A recent OSU study highlights the grange as a community-based organization with close ties to public health goals. The grange's physical buildings and similar missions make it an ideal partner for health initiatives, including blood drives, mental health awareness classes, and food programs.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Community Health·DateMay 8, 2020
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalChem·DateMay 8, 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.

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.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateMay 8, 2020

Which operations can restart first? New guide could help hospitals decide

A new guide from Michigan Medicine provides data-driven insights to help hospitals decide which operations can restart first. The guide analyzes seven years' worth of data from dozens of hospitals, showing that certain procedures require more resources, such as intensive care beds and ventilators.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 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.

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.

SourceHeidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2020

A pioneering study into the description of the architecture of a new standard for telecommunications

A new standard for machine learning in telecommunications networks has been approved, enabling faster data transmission rates of up to 20 Gbps and reducing latency to less than 5ms. This breakthrough is made possible by the application of deep learning techniques, allowing for complex pattern recognition and network load management.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalIEEE Communications Magazine·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceITMO University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 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.

KIST-CUK research team develops vaccine platform applicable to various viruses

A Korean research team developed a new vaccine platform using RNA-based adjuvants for the MERS coronavirus. The platform was successfully tested on nonhuman primates with 100% protective efficacy. The researchers expect the platform to be applicable to COVID-19 vaccine development, which is urgently needed globally.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateMay 8, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCell·DateMay 8, 2020

Canadian study finds temperature, latitude not associated with COVID-19 spread

A Canadian study of global COVID-19 data found that temperature and latitude are not associated with the virus's spread, contrary to initial expectations. However, school closures, social distancing, and other public health measures have been shown to slow epidemic growth.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·DateMay 8, 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.

How herpes simplex virus can evade the immune response to infect the brain

Researchers discovered that herpes simplex virus (HSV1) targets the STING protein in brain cells to evade the immune response, promoting viral infection. This finding could lead to new antiviral treatments, particularly for immunocompromised patients with severe HSV1 brain infections.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 8, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience·DateMay 8, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

The Lancet: New triple antiviral drug combination shows early promise for treating COVID-19 in phase 2 randomized trial

A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin has been found to be safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The treatment combination also showed significant shortening of hospital...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 8, 2020

Stroke evaluations drop by nearly 40% during COVID-19 pandemic

The number of stroke evaluations at US hospitals has dropped by nearly 40% during the pandemic, suggesting many people are delaying medical care. This delay can lead to reduced access to life-saving treatments and increased risk of death and disability.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 8, 2020