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Science News Archive November 2020


Page 30 of 43

Postpartum care fails to provide women with key recommended services

A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that postpartum care visits often fall short, with women receiving only 91.1% of recommended blood pressure screenings and just 8.7% depression screenings. The researchers analyzed data from over 20 million visits and identified room for improvement in the delivery of postpartum care.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rice has many fathers but only two mothers

Two distinct maternal lineages have been identified in rice through a study of over 3000 genotypes. This discovery sheds light on how rice adapted to its environment and could help improve breeding for climate change adaptation and food security.

Hundreds of copies of Newton's Principia found in new census

A new survey more than doubles the known number of copies of Isaac Newton's groundbreaking science book, challenging the idea that it was only read by expert mathematicians. The research suggests that the Principia was widely read and comprehended in 17th-century Europe.

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.

Empathy and perspective taking: How social skills are built

Empathy and perspective-taking are two essential social skills that enable us to form connections with others. A recent study reveals that both abilities are processed in the brain by a 'main network' specialized in empathy or changing perspective, which is activated in every social situation.

Scientists use bacteria as micro-3D printers

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a technique to guide bacterial colonies into creating highly customized three-dimensional objects made of nanocellulose. The objects show great potential for medical use, including supporting tissue regeneration and replacing damaged organs.

Study identifies new "hidden" gene in COVID-19 virus

Researchers discovered a new overlapping gene in SARS-CoV-2 that has the potential to encode a protein longer than expected by chance. The gene, ORF3d, has been independently identified and shown to elicit a strong antibody response in COVID-19 patients.

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.

UTSA program provides housing solutions for students with a history of foster care

The University of Texas at San Antonio's Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Housing First Project aims to address critical housing needs of at least 25 students pursuing college degrees each year. The program provides rental assistance, wrap-around support, and educational resources for 12-24 months to support degree completion.

Stevens' expert awarded $3.3M to protect ports, ships from underwater threats

Hady Salloum and his team at Stevens Institute of Technology will commercialize an underwater security system to protect ports, ships, and supply chains from surface and underwater intruders. The system uses patented technology to detect human divers and small boats, ensuring safer travel, shipping, and logistics.

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.

Researchers 3D print biomedical parts with supersonic speed

A Cornell University-led collaboration has created a new 3D printing technique that produces cellular metallic materials at supersonic speeds, resulting in mechanically robust and porous structures. These structures are 40% stronger than similar materials made with conventional manufacturing processes.

Chronic stress causes genetic changes in chickens

Researchers found epigenetic biomarkers that indicate chronic stress in commercially raised chickens, potentially leading to improved animal welfare and quality meat. The study suggests a diagnostic tool could be developed to track recurrent stress in production animals.

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.

MTRAC Innovation Hub for Advanced Computing awards $270,000 to Wayne State

The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization program awarded Wayne State researchers $270,000 to develop transformative innovation projects in AI, AR, and intelligent automation. The funding will support projects led by Jeremy Rickli, Ming Dong, and Arash Javanbakht, aiming to bring disruptive solutions to the market.

Simultaneous kidney transplant plus weight loss surgery safe for obese patients

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that simultaneous robotic-assisted kidney transplant and weight loss surgery is safe for obese patients. The procedure resulted in a significant reduction in surgical complications and improved cardiac function, with all patients experiencing a substantial weight loss.

Tracking down the causes of heart attack

Studying arterial deposits, researchers found that activated immune cells accumulated on the interior arterial wall, causing damage to the arterial lining. This discovery suggests a misguided adaptive immune response is involved in heart attacks, holding promise for personalized treatments and prevention of clinical complications.

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.

Puzzled otters learn from each other

Researchers observed Asian short-clawed otters solving food puzzles twice, several months apart, with the otters solving it 69% faster on average. This suggests a capacity for long-term memory and provides evidence of 'social learning,' where one otter's solution is quickly adopted by its closest friends.

Printable ink guides cell growth, offers nerve injury hope

A team of researchers from Australia, India, and Bangladesh have developed a neuron-growing ink that uses the body's own electrical signals to guide the growth of nerve cells. The bioconductive ink can be printed in lines to direct where neurons grow, cracking a major challenge in nerve engineering.

November/December 2020 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Research finds that buprenorphine therapy in primary care can be financially sustainable, with rural practices and physician-led treatment generating the most revenue. Effective hearing loss screening also shows promise, with increased referral rates to audiology specialists leading to improved health outcomes.

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.

Urban gulls adapt foraging schedule to human activity patterns

A study by the University of Bristol found that urban gulls adjust their foraging patterns to coincide with human activity, such as school breaks and waste centre opening hours. This adaptability helps them thrive in cities by maximizing energy intake from fluctuating food sources.

Weight loss shouldn't be the goal of PE

A new study from the University of Georgia found that physical education is more important for kids' fitness than BMI. Students who were overweight but active in PE were more likely to stay active after school.

Vocational rehabilitation helps lift people with disabilities out of poverty

The Substantial Gainful Activity Project found that vocational rehabilitation services can increase earnings for individuals with disabilities. The project demonstrated a 17 percentage point increase in clients with a signed individualized plan for employment and an 8 percentage point increase in closures with competitive employment.

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.

As cancer has evolved, it is time for cancer research to do the same

Research at Humane Society International found that human organoid models outperform xenografts in predicting patient responses and developing new medicines. Funding for human biology-based approaches remains scarce, highlighting a need to accelerate the transition to more effective non-animal technologies.

Understanding declining teenage pregnancies in England

A recent study found that declining teenage pregnancy rates in England are related to local areas experiencing less youth unemployment, growing Black or South Asian teenage populations, and more educational attainment. The study also suggests that unaffordable housing and a lack of social housing contribute to lower conception rates.

RNA structures of coronavirus reveal potential drug targets

Researchers identified at least 87 regions in the SARS-CoV-2 RNA sequence that form compact structures, with at least 10% under strong evolutionary selection pressure. These structures are potential targets for small-molecule drugs and could be effective against future new virus strains.

Two genes regulate social dominance

Scientists have identified two paralogous androgen receptor genes that control social status in African cichlid fish, shedding light on the molecular basis of social hierarchy. These findings suggest independent mechanisms for regulating coloration and behavior, providing a framework for studying human social dominance.

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.

Do consumers enjoy events more when commenting on them?

Researchers found that generating content during experiences increases immersion and enjoyment. People tend to create content that is directly relevant to their current experience, with positive effects on evaluations. Marketers can encourage consumers to generate content by offering incentives or social norms nudges.

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.

Six ways primary care "medical homes" are lowering health care spending

Patient clinical data leverages reduce healthcare spending and utilization by reminding patients for preventive services, setting health goals, and improving quality improvement. Practices with targeted outreach and population health monitoring also see lower Medicare spending and utilization

A viable vaccine for tough tumors

A new biomaterial-based cancer vaccine has shown promise in treating aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in mice, with 100% survival rate after a subsequent injection of cancer cells. The vaccine combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy to generate a sustained anti-cancer response.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Valves on N95 masks do not filter exhaled droplets

Research by Matthew Staymates found N95 masks with exhalation valves ineffective at filtering respiratory droplets. Masks without valves block most droplets, making them a more effective choice for disease prevention.

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.

Do neurosurgeons face sexual harassment in their profession?

A survey of neurosurgical community members reveals widespread sexual harassment, with women more likely to report witnessing or experiencing it. The study highlights the need for a cultural shift in the profession to address the issue and prevent burnout among female neurosurgeons.

Galaxies have gotten hotter as they've gotten older

Researchers found that galaxy clusters today are 4 million degrees Fahrenheit, 10 times hotter than 10 billion years ago. The team used data from telescopes and space missions to measure the temperature of gas concentrations over time, confirming a theory about dark matter.

Large volcanic eruption caused the largest mass extinction

Researchers found evidence of a large volcanic cause of the largest mass extinction, with sedimentary mercury enrichments detected in rocks from the end of the Permian period. The study suggests that high-temperature volcanic combustion contributed to global warming and the loss of land and marine creatures.

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.

Exoskeletons can reduce strain also in health care

A study found that exoskeleton vests can help nurses by reducing physical strain, but further development is needed to make them comfortable and safe. The technology has the potential to improve care work and alleviate musculoskeletal disorders.

Jacky dragon moms' time in the sun affects their kids

A recent study found that maternal body condition and stress hormone levels can affect the traits of jacky dragon offspring, including gender and growth rate. The research suggests that thermal opportunity may play a role in conveying environmental information from mother to offspring.

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.