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Science News for November 27, 2020


Cereal, olive and vine pollen reveal market integration in Ancient Greece

Researchers found evidence of an export economy based on cash cropping in ancient Greece, primarily through olive cultivation, centuries before the Roman conquest. The study uses pollen records as a new source of quantitative data to measure landscape change and market integration.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateNov 27, 2020

Small molecules control bacterial resistance to antibiotics

A research team at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena has identified a small ribonucleic acid that influences the antibiotic-resistance of Vibrio cholerae. The protein CrvA plays a crucial role in maintaining cell form and is essential for survival on contact with penicillin.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 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.

Insect-based foods could help tackle malnutrition

A £1 million international project is working to create an affordable insect-based porridge using mopane worms, a traditional delicacy in Zimbabwe. The initiative aims to improve the health and nutritional status of primary school children in some of the country's poorest communities.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateNov 27, 2020

How stable is the Antarctic ice sheet?

Researchers found that the ice masses of East Antarctica could be less stable than thought, and a rise in global sea level threatens coastal areas. The study's findings indicate that the formation of large glaciers in the northern hemisphere contributed to the ice sheet's stability.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 27, 2020

Mine ponds amplify mercury risks in Peru's Amazon

A new study finds that mine ponds created by artisanal gold miners have increased the risk of mercury poisoning in Peru's Amazon. The proliferation of these ponds has amplified the environmental and human health risks associated with mercury exposure.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 27, 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.

Poverty and honesty are not opposites

A new study challenges traditional assumptions about the link between poverty and dishonesty, finding that individuals cheat equally in periods of relative wealth and poverty. Researchers also found that brief social interventions can improve behavior when wealth increases, but have no effect during times of scarcity.

SourceWZB Berlin Social Science Center·JournalGames and Economic Behavior·DateNov 27, 2020

New procedure will reduce the need for rare metals in chemical synthesis

Researchers from Kanazawa University have developed a new procedure to reduce the use of rare metals in pharmaceutical and chemical syntheses. The study found that benzylic organoborates can perform tertiary alkylative cross-coupling reactions without using rare elements, paving the way for a more sustainable chemical industry.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 27, 2020

How lockdown may lead to "avoidable harm" for the health of under 16s

Research by Lancaster University suggests that lockdown measures may result in avoidable harm for children under 16, as hospital attendances decreased but admissions increased. The study found that fear of COVID-19 and reduced personal thresholds for seeking medical care may have contributed to these findings.

SourceLancaster University·JournalPediatric Emergency Care·DateNov 27, 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.

UK's aim to half maternal mortality by 2030 is challenged by social inequalities, and increasing maternal age, obesity and c-section rates

The UK is facing an uphill battle in meeting its target of halving maternal mortality by 2030 due to increasing social inequalities and health risks. Maternal age, obesity, and caesarean sections are contributing factors. The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care has highlighted these issues and recommended improvement...

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateNov 27, 2020

Brain's 'speedometer' could help solve part of dementia puzzle

A study published at the University of Exeter Medical School has discovered specialized nerve cells called speed-sensitive cells in the brain's entorhinal cortex that malfunction in Alzheimer's disease. This malfunction disrupts the brain's map, leading to spatial navigation difficulties.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateNov 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.

Airplane noise at night can trigger cardiovascular death

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that acute aircraft noise exposure at night can increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The study analyzed 24,886 cardiovascular deaths and found a significant association between night-time airplane noise levels and increased mortality risk.

SourceSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateNov 27, 2020

A tricky kidney puzzle

Researchers use single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze kidney cells' gene expression, enabling the reconstruction of their spatial arrangement and functional information. The algorithm succeeds in completing a 3D puzzle, providing new insights into kidney disease.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 27, 2020

Review of first wave in Italy concludes using age alone to determine if someone gets COVID-19 intensive care treatment is not fair

A new review from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care examines COVID-19 intensive care treatment allocation in Italy. The review concludes that using age alone to determine who receives ICU treatment is not fair, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach considering comorbidity and functional status.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateNov 27, 2020

Scientists reveal regions of the brain where serotonin promotes patience

Researchers found that serotonin release in these areas increases waiting time, particularly when reward timing is uncertain. A computational model explains the mice's behavior by predicting reward delivery timing and estimating probability.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 27, 2020

Genes unlock clues to the evolution and survival of the Great Barrier Reef

A recent study sequenced genomes of 150 individual coral colonies to understand the evolution and survival of the Great Barrier Reef. The researchers discovered genes that rapidly evolved to endure changing conditions, including a set of genes that developed over the past 10,000 years.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 27, 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.

Call for 'debt driving licence'

A new study recommends protecting first-time borrowers from long-term debt by introducing psychometric tests to assess age, experience, and personality traits. The study argues that lenders should have a duty of care and control access to credit more carefully for young people and those with impulsive tendencies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSocial Issues and Policy Review·DateNov 27, 2020

Neuromorphic computing with memristors

Researchers study the role of memristors in neuromorphic computing to mimic biological brain architectures. Memristor devices can memorize current to reduce device size and increase processing speed.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateNov 27, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Accurate and efficient 3D motion tracking using deep learning

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new sensing method using deep learning and a structure-aware temporal bilateral filter. The system can track complex motions with higher accuracy, enabling applications such as tracking small animal movements, fluid flow, and virtual reality finger movements.

SourceTohoku University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateNov 27, 2020

Electronic skin has a strong future stretching ahead

Researchers have created a durable e-skin using hydrogel and MXene materials, enabling real-time sensing of temperature, touch, and pressure. The material can withstand up to 28 times its original size without losing functionality.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 27, 2020

Doctors report unusual case of patient 'mirror writing' in the emergency room

A highly unusual case of a right-handed patient performing unconscious 'mirror-writing' with her left hand while in the midst of having epileptic seizures was reported by doctors. The study, published at Euroanaesthesia, suggests that mirror writing may occur in patients with epilepsy affecting one limb.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateNov 27, 2020