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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 6


Page 6 of 42

Multifunctional e-glasses monitor health, protect eyes, control video game

Researchers developed smart e-glasses that wirelessly monitor brain waves, body movements and UV intensity while acting as sunglasses. The device allows users to control a video game with eye motions and can potentially aid in digital healthcare or virtual reality applications.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 27, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Under pressure, black holes feast

A new study reveals that supermassive black holes experience a surge in activity as galaxies within galaxy clusters stop forming stars. The intense pressure allows for a final feast of gas clouds and stars before shutting off normal feeding, suggesting an intricate interplay between black hole behavior and star formation.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 27, 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.

Framework helps clinicians identify serious spinal pathology

A new framework for assessing and managing serious spinal pathologies has been developed by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). The framework provides a clinical-reasoning pathway to recognize red flags in spinal injuries and disease, enabling early identification and management.

SourceJOSPT, Inc. d/b/a Movement Science Media·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy·DateMay 27, 2020

Researchers incorporate computer vision and uncertainty into AI for robotic prosthetics

Researchers developed a software framework that incorporates computer vision and uncertainty into AI for robotic prosthetics, allowing users to walk safely on various terrains. The framework uses robust AI algorithms to predict terrain type, quantify uncertainty, and adjust behavior accordingly.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering·DateMay 27, 2020

Women and minorities lacking in research and clinical trials for new cardiometabolic medications

The study found that women and racial minorities were significantly underrepresented in pivotal trials supporting approval of new cardiometabolic medicines. This underrepresentation may lead to variation in treatment outcomes and survival, emphasizing the need for increased diversity in clinical trial participants.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 27, 2020

Finnish study proposes a model to predict cryptocurrency defaults

Researchers at the University of Vaasa have developed a model that can explain 87 percent of cryptocurrency bankruptcies after only one month of trading. The study identifies four key factors that contribute to a coin's success or failure, including first-day performance and developer anonymity.

SourceUniversity of Vaasa·JournalApplied Economics·DateMay 27, 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.

Exploring the use of 'stretchable' words in social media

A study analyzing 100 billion tweets identified thousands of stretched words, including 'ha', 'awesome', and 'goal'. The researchers developed tools to measure stretch and balance, which could aid in natural language processing, search engines, and spam filters.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 27, 2020

New understanding of RNA movements can be used to treat cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new mechanism by which microRNAs regulate protein production, potentially leading to new cancer treatments. The study focused on miR-34a, a microRNA that plays a key role in cancer by regulating the activity of the p53 protein.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature·DateMay 27, 2020

Winds spread PFAS pollution far from a manufacturing facility

Researchers have found that PFAS chemicals have dispersed more broadly than previously thought, contaminating surface water and soil up to 30 miles from a manufacturing facility. The study's findings suggest that these chemicals could be carried into groundwater, highlighting the need for wider monitoring of PFAS exposure.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 27, 2020

Altered sense of taste present in half of COVID-19 cases

A new analysis published in Gastroenterology found that nearly half of individuals with COVID-19 experience changes in their sense of taste. Researchers suspect the true prevalence could be even higher due to limited symptom reporting.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateMay 27, 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.

Loss of smell, taste changes associated with COVID-19: Canadian study

A Canadian study found strong associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and loss of smell (anosmia) and changes in taste (dysgeusia). The study identified these symptoms as common features of COVID-19, suggesting they should prompt testing and possible retesting for those with negative initial results.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 27, 2020

Unique measurement system for 5G-MIMO and space applications

A novel 5G-MIMO measurement system is now in place at Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, enabling unique measurements and research. The system's large bandwidth and vector calibration ability make it unparalleled for characterizing integrated multi-amplifier designs.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·DateMay 27, 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.

Biomarkers may help us understand recovery time after concussion

A blood test using neurofilament light chain may predict recovery time after concussion, especially for those with multiple concussions. High levels of the biomarker are associated with severe symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression years later.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 27, 2020

Canadian study of critically ill patients with COVID-19 found lower death rate

A Canadian case series of critically ill COVID-19 patients showed a significantly lower mortality rate compared to other jurisdictions. The study found that patients received fewer mechanical ventilations and were more likely to be discharged home, contributing to the lower death toll.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 27, 2020

Information technology played key role in growth of ancient civilizations

Researchers found that ancient civilizations underwent three phases of sociopolitical development, with population growth being the first driver, followed by innovations in information processing and storage. The study suggests that these advances enabled societies to continue growing beyond a certain scale threshold.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 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.

In chimpanzees, females contribute to the protection of the territory

In western chimpanzees, females play a crucial role in territorial behavior, cooperating with males to maintain borders and engage in conflicts. Larger groups gain advantages over smaller communities through access to larger territories and reduced neighbor pressure.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMay 27, 2020

Pregnancy reprograms breast cells, reducing cancer risk

Researchers found that pregnancy reduces breast cancer risk by reprogramming breast cells to tuck away the potent cancer gene cMYC and keep them in a state of pre-senescence. This protective mechanism may provide new insights into future cancer treatment and help identify risk before tumors develop.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2020

A special elemental magic

Physicists from Kyoto University have developed a new 'Nucletouch' table that reimagines the periodic table of elements around protons in the nucleus, rather than electrons. This shift highlights alternative ways to illustrate natural laws and provides a fresh perspective on familiar elements.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFoundations of Chemistry·DateMay 27, 2020

Search-and-rescue algorithm identifies hidden'traps' in ocean waters

Researchers developed an algorithm to analyze ocean conditions and identify regions where objects are likely to converge. The technique uses data-driven ocean modeling and prediction systems to uncover hidden 'traps', providing first responders with a new perspective for search-and-rescue operations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2020

Skoltech scientists get a sneak peek of a key process in battery 'life'

Researchers visualized solid electrolyte interphase formation on battery-grade materials using in situ atomic force microscopy. They found SEI was thicker and stronger than on HOPG, providing new insights into battery interface structure and evolution.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 27, 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.

Elucidation of nanostructures in practical heterogeneous catalysts

Scientists from Japan and Italy use synchrotron X-ray total scattering and vibrational spectroscopies to determine the structural disorder and dimensions of a building unit in the heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The research sheds new light on the full elucidation of nanostructure in practical heterogeneous catalysts.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Catalysis·DateMay 27, 2020

World's oldest bug is fossil millipede from Scotland

A 425-million-year-old millipede fossil discovered in Scotland is the oldest known bug, challenging previous estimates of insect evolution. The find suggests that bugs evolved rapidly, going from simple lake communities to complex forest ecosystems within 40 million years.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalHistorical Biology·DateMay 27, 2020

Augmented reality can improve online shopping, study finds

A recent study by Cornell University found that augmented reality (AR) technology can improve the online shopping experience by reducing returns and increasing consumer attitudes towards garments. While results were mixed, participants responded well to virtual try-on, with higher telepresence corresponding to more positive attitudes.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Fashion Marketing and Management·DateMay 27, 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.

A versatile antiviral emerges to fight COVID-19

EIDD-2801 targets the same viral enzyme as remdesivir but is an oral medication, allowing treatment earlier in the course of the disease. The antiviral works by mimicking two different RNA bases, confusing the viral genome and resulting in non-functional viruses.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 27, 2020

Doxycycline ineffective at shrinking aortic aneurysms in two-year study

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that doxycycline did not reduce the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients over a two-year period. The study included 254 patients who were randomly assigned to take either doxycycline or a placebo, with no differences in aneurysm growth between the two groups.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateMay 27, 2020

NASA-NOAA satellite sees Tropical Storm Bertha organizing

Tropical Storm Bertha has formed off the coast of South Carolina, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite providing critical forecast guidance. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash flooding across eastern and central South Carolina, as well as western North Carolina and southwest Virginia.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 27, 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.

Tuning the surface gives variations to metal foils

The research team created A4 paper-sized single-crystal metal foils with various surface structures by seeded annealing. They found that the surface energy of Cu foils can be tuned to produce desired surface types, enabling scalable synthesis of large transition metal single crystal foils.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateMay 27, 2020

Nordic countries struggle with a severe drug overdose problem

Opioids were responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in Nordic countries, with heroin being the main cause in Norway and Sweden. The overdose mortality rate has leveled off over the years, but remains higher than twice the European average, highlighting a need for continued measures to reduce drug-related harms.

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalForensic Science International·DateMay 27, 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.

Women's health services adapting well to COVID-19, but concerns remain for long-term

The majority of women's healthcare units in the UK have adapted well to the initial COVID-19 outbreak, but there are concerns about long-term planning to prevent health issues from developing. Women's healthcare units provide essential services such as maternity, antenatal and gynaecology care.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·DateMay 27, 2020

An imperative for psychiatrists to act now

The article discusses how psychiatrists can contribute to mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts emphasize the need for a collective response from the psychiatric community to address the growing mental health crisis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMay 27, 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.

A new method for predicting the evolution of melanoma emerges

A new method for predicting the evolution of melanoma uses the quantification of BRAF-V600E mutation load as a prognostic marker. The study found that patients with lower levels of this mutation in their primary tumours were more likely to develop metastasis, suggesting its potential use as a predictor of progress to metastasis.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 27, 2020

Diversity of applicants to surgical residency, fellowship programs

From 2008-2018, diversity among U.S. surgical residency and fellowship applicants by sex and race/ethnicity has shown a significant increase, according to the JAMA Network study. The research indicates that improvements in access and representation in these programs have contributed to this trend.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMay 27, 2020

Cosmic bursts unveil universe's missing matter

Researchers have found all of the missing 'normal' matter in the vast space between stars and galaxies, using fast radio bursts. The phenomenon allowed them to directly detect the missing matter, which is equivalent to only one or two atoms in a room the size of an average office.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalNature·DateMay 27, 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.

PKU-led team found effective SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

A joint research team led by Sunney Xie has identified multiple highly potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from convalescent plasma. These antibodies provide a potential cure for COVID-19 and offer short-term prevention, marking a major milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

SourcePeking University·JournalCell·DateMay 27, 2020

Yale researchers find where stress lives

Yale researchers have identified a neural home of the feeling of stress in the brain, revealing a network of connections from the hippocampus to the dorsal lateral frontal cortex. This discovery may help develop targeted therapies for anxiety and other mental health disorders.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2020

Fighting parasites with poo

Researchers at University of Queensland are studying bacteria and fungi in sheep faeces and pastures to discover new natural antiparasitics. The goal is to prevent multi-drug resistance and safeguard livestock, with potential benefits for the environment and farming industry.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·DateMay 27, 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.

Same father, same face

A team of scientists used artificial intelligence to examine whether mandrills' facial features are a result of genetic similarity or selection. They found that half-sisters with the same father exhibit stronger facial resemblance, indicating a possible evolutionary mechanism for social discrimination and nepotism among kin.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 27, 2020

Human growth hormone treatment after ACL injury may prevent loss of muscle strength

A new study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine finds that human growth hormone (HGH) treatment after ACL reconstructive surgery may prevent the loss of muscle strength in the knee. Researchers found a 29% higher knee extension strength in patients who received HGH injections compared to those in the placebo group.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateMay 27, 2020