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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 9


Page 9 of 42

App calculates risk of delaying cancer care during pandemic

A new app calculates individualized mortality risk assessment for cancer patients receiving immediate versus delayed treatment. The OncCOVID app draws on global cancer and coronavirus data to create personalized assessments, providing doctors with a tool to balance treatment needs against COVID-19 risks.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateMay 26, 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.

Climate change increases migration at the expense of the poor

A climate game developed by Max Planck researchers shows that global cooperation can be possible -- although not without effort. The study found that richer countries rarely stopped climate change and migration, while poorer countries supported a minimum level of climate protection.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 26, 2020

Dinosaur-dooming asteroid struck Earth at 'deadliest possible' angle

The asteroid impact at an estimated 60-degree angle led to the release of massive amounts of sulphur into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing a nuclear winter. This event ultimately contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of life on Earth 66 million years ago.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 2020

A clinical decision system to predict trauma patient outcome

Researchers developed a novel clinical decision support system to predict individual trauma patient outcome based on historical data and real-world evidence. The system uses an evidential reasoning rule to process clinical signs and symptoms, identifying patients at risk of adverse events such as ICU admission or in-hospital death.

SourceNational Center for Trauma Medicine·DateMay 26, 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.

Anti-malarial drug shows promise for brain cancer treatment

Researchers discovered that lumefantrine, an FDA-approved anti-malarial drug, can inhibit the genetic element Fli-1 controlling resistance to radiation and chemotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme. Lumefantrine also suppresses tumor cell growth and inhibits key processes regulating cancer invasion and spread.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 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.

Beware of false negatives in diagnostic testing of COVID-19

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that the RT-PCR test can produce false negatives in COVID-19 diagnosis, particularly in early stages of infection. The study suggests that the predictive value of these tests may be less accurate than previously thought.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 26, 2020

Study: Benefits of workplace wellness programs underwhelming

A comprehensive workplace wellness program, iThrive, was found to have no significant effect on employee health measures or medical use. However, it did improve self-reported health beliefs and the proportion of employees reporting having a primary care physician.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 26, 2020

Essential key to hearing sensitivity discovered

A team of researchers led by Jung-Bum Shin identified Myosin-VIIa as a crucial protein in maintaining proper tension in hair cell mechanoreceptors, enabling sound detection. The discovery sheds light on the biological architecture of hearing and may lead to new treatments for hearing loss.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 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.

Warming climate is changing where birds breed

A recent study found that birds in eastern North America are shifting their breeding ranges in response to climate change. Some species, such as Carolina wrens and red-bellied woodpeckers, may be resilient to future changes, while others, like Neotropical migratory birds, are experiencing range contractions. The research highlights the...

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NUI Galway research highlights the economic costs of workplace bullying

A new NUI Galway study estimates the economic value of lost productivity from workplace bullying in Ireland, totaling 1.7 million workdays lost at a cost of €239 million annually. The research also finds that bullying has a larger effect on absences in private sector organizations.

SourceUniversity of Galway·JournalOccupational Medicine·DateMay 26, 2020

Up to 60% of students in some schools vaped in past month

A University of Michigan study found that up to 60% of students in certain schools vape daily, highlighting the importance of understanding individual and school-level factors driving e-cigarette use. The study's findings suggest that tailoring interventions to specific school environments can be effective in reducing vaping prevalence.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 26, 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.

Flow-through electrodes make hydrogen 50 times faster

Researchers at Duke University have developed flow-through electrodes that can store hydrogen more efficiently than conventional electrolyzers. The new design increases the surface area of the electrode to allow for faster and more productive water electrolysis, with potential implications for affordable renewable energy storage.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMay 26, 2020

Warwick scientists discover how cells respond to fasting

Scientists identify key proteins required for autophagy gene transcription during fasting, enabling activation of autophagic pathways to maintain a normal body weight. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy and its potential therapeutic applications.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 26, 2020

The deep ocean is warming slowly -- but dramatic changes are ahead

The deep ocean is warming at a slower rate than the surface, with climate velocity accelerating to 11 times the present rate in waters between 200-1000 metres by the end of the century. This poses huge challenges for protecting areas and mitigating threats to deep-sea life.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 25, 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.

Territoriality in birds

A study of 175 reports found that 32.3% of North American perching birds defend their territories against other species, with hybridizing species more likely to do so. Resource competition is a key driver of territorial behavior in these birds.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Understanding ceramic materials' 'mortar' may reveal ways to improve them

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers reveals that silicon carbide's grain boundaries are susceptible to radiation-induced segregation, affecting the material's chemistry. This discovery could aid in fine-tuning ceramic materials for high-tech applications like nuclear energy and jet engines.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 25, 2020

Record-high data transmission using a soliton crystal

Researchers have developed an efficient way to create micro-combs and exploit them in highly performing and robust frequency multiplexed optical fibre networks. This breakthrough enables the record-high data transmission over 75 km of standard optical fibre using a powerful class of micro-comb called soliton crystals.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 25, 2020

Orbital-use fees in satellite industry

Researchers created a physical-economic model analyzing collision risk, orbital debris, and satellite counts from 1957-2017. Imposing a tax on orbiting satellites could increase the industry's value by decreasing these risks and amount of space debris.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Fighting hospital germs with UVC light-emitting diodes

Researchers have developed UVC LEDs emitting at 230nm that can destroy microorganisms without allowing resistances to develop. The system achieves high irradiation power and uniformity, making it suitable for killing MDR pathogens and inactivating coronaviruses.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·DateMay 25, 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.

Gender imbalance in AI-based medical imaging

A study found significant gender imbalance in medical imaging datasets used to train classifiers, leading to biased AI-based diagnostic systems. The analysis showed that underrepresented groups were misclassified more frequently than the majority group.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

A child's brain activity reveals their memory ability

Researchers analyzed child brain activity using fMRI to predict working memory abilities during development. The study found that brain network activity in the frontoparietal network was unique to working memory and reflected individual capabilities.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMay 25, 2020

Musical rhythm has very deep evolutionary roots and is present in some animals

A study found that rats could identify the rhythmic structure of a song while ignoring changes to the melody. This suggests that the principles of rhythmic organization in music are also present in other animals, including humans. The results indicate that this cognitive ability has very deep evolutionary roots.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 25, 2020

Why are we still failing to stop deforestation?

A new study calls for a radically different approach to addressing deforestation, focusing on understanding how individuals make choices about forests and livelihoods. Researchers propose using specially designed board games to help stakeholders align forces despite differing values and worldviews.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalOne Earth·DateMay 25, 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.

Problems with alcohol? 29 gene variants may explain why

A genome-wide analysis has identified 19 new genetic risk factors for problematic alcohol use and confirmed 10 previously known factors. The study also found shared genetic associations with psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 25, 2020

Antibody designed to recognize pathogens of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have developed an antibody that can accurately detect and quantify toxic amyloid-beta oligomers, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to improved diagnostic methods and ultimately help monitor the progression of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Reducing neighborhood crime: Place management of alcohol outlets

Researchers found that small and independent stores had fewer resources for place management than large chain stores, making it harder to control neighborhood crime. However, improved law enforcement and manager training may help reduce crime in areas with high density of alcohol sales outlets.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateMay 25, 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.

Saturable plasmonic metasurfaces for laser mode locking

Researchers developed plasmonic metasurfaces that can be tuned with polarization light, providing efficient saturable absorption for ultrafast lasers. The metasurfaces achieved stable self-starting ultrashort laser pulse generation with a modulation depth of up to 60%, outperforming previous studies.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMay 25, 2020

New therapy for triple negative breast cancer

Researchers have developed a new combined treatment using a senescence inducer and a senolytic nanoparticle that selectively removes senescent cells, delaying tumor growth and reducing metastasis in aggressive breast cancer. The study provides new therapeutic methodologies to be developed in subsequent stages and clinical trials.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateMay 25, 2020

Development of electrode material improving the efficiency of salinity gradient energy

Researchers have developed a new electrode material that can improve the efficiency and economic feasibility of salinity gradient power generation using reverse electrodialysis. The material, molybdenum disulfide thin films, was synthesized directly on the electrode current collector surface to enhance electrochemical activity.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateMay 25, 2020

7,000 years of demographic history in France

French prehistory saw two significant migration waves: Neolithic and Bronze Age, which mixed with native hunter-gatherers. The study found that 7,000 years of admixture between these groups still influences the genomes of French people.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Bristol scientists see through glass frogs' translucent camouflage

Researchers reveal that glass frog translucency acts as a unique form of camouflage, but with a mechanism different from true transparency. The 'edge diffusion' strategy involves a diffuse gradient between the frog's color and its surroundings, making it harder to spot.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 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.

New double-contrast technique picks up small tumors on MRI

Researchers at UC Davis developed a new double-contrast technique that uses magnetic resonance imaging to detect small tumors in normal tissue. The technique, called two-way magnetic resonance tuning (TMRET), increases the signal contrast between tumors and surrounding tissue, enabling more sensitive detection of early-stage tumors.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 25, 2020

Ancient genomes reveal demographic history of France

The analysis of ancient genomes has revealed how demographic events such as migrations have spurred major cultural shifts in France. The study found that Magdalenian-associated ancestry survived beyond the Iberian Peninsula, and that Neolithic people who migrated to France descended from Anatolian farmers.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Range shifts in eastern North American birds

Studies found that migratory bird species shifted their breeding ranges northward, while resident species expanded their ranges in response to climate change. This suggests that some species may be resilient to future changes, but others may face greater vulnerability.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Solving the space junk problem

A new study suggests that implementing orbital-use fees for satellites in orbit could reduce collision risk and increase the industry's long-run value. The fees, which would be calculated based on projected costs of additional collision risk and space debris production, could quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020

Exotic properties of helium-methane compounds inside giant planets

Researchers predict novel helium-methane compound He3CH4, stable under high pressure, with unique phase transitions upon heating. The compound's van der Waals interactions facilitate efficient heat transport, affecting a planet's interior and surface temperature.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 25, 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.

Observations of robotic swarm behavior can help workers safely navigate disaster sites

Researchers demonstrate that locally observed robot distribution can correlate with environmental features, such as exits in office-like environments. This approach enables trapped office workers to navigate their way out of a collapsed building, even in scenarios where robots lack communication or sensors.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateMay 25, 2020

The evolutionary history of the Milky Way determined in more detail than ever

Astronomers have created the most detailed evolutionary history of the Milky Way up to now, combining apparent luminosity with measured distance and accurate star models. The study reveals well-defined periods of great activity in star formation, including dramatic episodes that stimulated new star creation.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 25, 2020

Lossless conduction at the edges

Scientists analyzed tiny tungsten ditelluride crystals and detected characteristic oscillations indicating current flows along narrow edges, supporting theoretical predictions of higher-order topological material properties.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 25, 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.

COVID-19 pandemic uniting Canadians like no other event in decades

A new study by researchers from McGill University and the University of Toronto finds a cross-partisan consensus on battling COVID-19 in Canada. Canadians from different political parties are taking similar social distancing measures and expressing similar levels of confidence in the federal government's response.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCanadian Journal of Political Science·DateMay 25, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that loss of smell and taste are common symptoms of COVID-19, particularly among hospitalized and ambulatory patients. The researchers suggest that anosmia may not be related to nasal obstruction or inflammation.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 25, 2020