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Science News Archive November 2020


Page 39 of 43

FAST reveals mystery of fast radio bursts from the universe

A team of researchers used the FAST telescope to detect over 15 fast radio bursts, revealing a galaxy 3 billion light years away as the source. The bursts' polarization signals showed diverse swings, indicating production in compact star magnetospheres and disfavoring shock models.

The gut trains the immune system to protect the brain

Researchers have discovered that gut-educated antibody-producing cells inhabit and defend regions surrounding the central nervous system, including the dura mater. The study shows that these immune cells play a crucial role in protecting the brain against meningitis and other infections.

Lockdown lifestyle link to poor mental health in Scotland

A new study has confirmed that negative health behaviours during Scotland's COVID-19 lockdown contributed to poorer mental health. The research found a link between increased alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and poorer sleep quality with higher negative mood.

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.

Do small gifts to donors increase charity appeal ROI?

The study found that small gifts to donors, such as coins or greeting cards, can increase the response rate and effectiveness of charitable appeals. However, they do not maximize average donations or raise more total funds compared to non-monetary incentives or no incentives at all.

Hydrogen bonds may be key to airborne dicamba

Washington University researchers found that hydrogen bonding functional groups on amines play a key role in controlling dicamba volatility. The team's study suggests that amines with more hydrogen bonding sites decrease dicamba's ability to become airborne, potentially leading to improved formulations and reduced crop damage.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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The lasting effects of pollution from the Kabwe mine

Residents of Kabwe Town, Zambia, exhibit high blood levels of lead and cadmium, leading to clinical symptoms of toxicity. The study found significant correlations between metal exposure and health effects, particularly in adults.

Paper addresses fieldwork safety for minority scientists

A new paper in Nature Ecology and Evolution outlines strategies to improve fieldwork safety for researchers from diverse backgrounds. The authors recommend proactive measures such as notifying others of data collection locations and training supervisors to address these issues.

Laser-powered nanomotors chart their own course

Researchers have designed novel linear nanomotors powered by laser light, enabling controlled movement and reducing complexity. The technology uses localized surface plasmon resonance to produce directional scattering, allowing for precise navigation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Violent encounters between gorillas slow population growth rate

A new study found that violent encounters between social units hindered the growth of a high-density mountain gorilla population. The researchers analyzed five decades of data and discovered that infant mortality resulting from these interactions contributed to a dramatic slowing of the population growth rate.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

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Providing a safe environment for psychiatric patients during pandemic

The UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center created an isolated COVID-19 unit to manage the highly infectious virus in a freestanding psychiatric hospital. The team implemented screening for symptoms, fever, contact, and travel history, and used extreme caution when isolating suspected patients.

Social media can guide public pandemic policy: QUT research

Australian public attitudes and perceptions on pandemic measures reflected through Twitter data, influencing policy decisions, shows QUT research. Effective government social media use enhances public health education and awareness concerning social distancing restrictions.

New multicomponent reaction frontiers

A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona has developed a new protocol combining multicomponent reactions with domino type processes to synthesize complex molecules. The study reveals a key principle that enables access to high structural complexity, offering a more efficient and sustainable synthetic pathway.

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.

New insights on a common protein could lead to novel cancer treatments

A new University of Colorado Boulder study sheds light on CDK7's role in controlling cell growth and transcription, potentially leading to new therapies for hard-to-treat cancers and rare developmental disorders. The findings suggest that CDK7 inhibitors could have distinct therapeutic advantages and result in more selective and less d...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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New technique extends next-generation lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Columbia University discovered that adding potassium ions to conventional lithium battery electrolytes prevents lithium microstructure proliferation, ultimately limiting the growth of dendrites that can cause short-circuiting and fires. This breakthrough enables stable lithium metal batteries with improved performance.

Sea-level rise will have complex consequences

A new study examines 12,000 years of sea-level rise and finds that changes in land area and human cultures happened at variable rates, out of step with the prevailing rate of sea-level rise. Researchers warn that future sea-level rise will not always be simple and that human responses will be equally localized.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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Safety of HPV vaccines in males

New analysis shows HPV vaccines are safe for males, with similar side effects to females. The study evaluated reports of adverse events from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System between 2006 and 2018.

Bronze Age travel routes revealed using pioneering research method

Researchers from the University of Sydney have reconstructed ancient seasonal migration routes of Bronze Age herders in Xinjiang using satellite imagery and archaeological evidence. This innovative methodology provides new insights into how Bronze Age people adapted to life in the region and capitalised on available resources.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Needlestick, sharps injuries among resident physicians

Rates of needlestick and sharps injuries were found to be higher among resident physicians compared to other staff. The study aimed to examine the rates and characteristics of these types of injuries among residents at a large healthcare center.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

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Understanding the spread of infectious diseases

Researchers created a new model combining SIR theory with dynamical density functional theory to describe the spread of infectious diseases. The results show that social distancing significantly decreases infection rates, reproducing the 'flattening the curve' effect.

Tricking fake news detectors with malicious user comments

A new study from Penn State reveals how fake news detectors can be manipulated through user comments, allowing adversaries to influence the detector's assessment of a story. The researchers developed a framework called Malcom to generate and optimize malicious comments that fool leading fake news detectors over 93% of the time.

Hormone differences

A University of Delaware researcher studies the impact of birth experiences on hormone development, finding that C-sections disrupt natural hormonal signals. He proposes investigating potential interventions to promote healthier outcomes, such as reintroducing missing microbes or hormones in children born via cesarean.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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Using artificial intelligence can improve pregnant women's health

Researchers from the University of Seville found that AI can detect birth defects, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth earlier using data on environmental pollution. AI systems can also help monitor women's mental health during pregnancy, improving public health in disadvantaged areas.

Pinning down how the brain predicts the consequences of choices

Researchers study brain mechanisms in mice using a custom-made puzzle task to disentangle cognitive schemes. They discover that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) creates a neural map representing various aspects of behavior, including current location and predicted consequences of actions.

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.

Dietary supplement may help in the treatment of fatty liver

A recent study by University of Jyväskylä researchers found that a dietary supplement increased the growth of good bacteria in rats' gut, leading to reduced liver fat content and improved glucose metabolism. Preliminary results from human studies with fatty liver disease patients also seem promising.

DNA in seawater can reveal fish diversity in the deep ocean

A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding for detecting deep-sea fish, revealing 11 fish families, 11 genera, and 8 species. This method provides broader coverage of fish diversity and uses significantly less logistical effort than conventional methods.

A material that 'bruises' like the skin?

Researchers at KIST developed a new material that changes color when damaged, improving sensitivity by 850% compared to existing materials. The innovative process allows for easy application to various materials, making it suitable for wearable sensors and artificial skin.

The dangers of collecting drinking water

A new international study reveals that collecting drinking water can cause serious injury, with 13% of respondents reporting an injury while fetching water. Women are twice as likely to be hurt as men, highlighting the social and gender inequities of this hidden global health challenge.

Near-atomic 'maps' reveal structure for maintaining pH balance in cells

Researchers have visualized a new class of molecular gates, called proton-activated chloride channels (PAC), which regulate the passage of small molecules into and out of cells. These gates are critical for maintaining pH balance within brain cells, allowing them to sense and respond to their environment.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A 520-million-year-old five-eyed fossil reveals arthropod origin

The discovery of Kylinxia, a shrimp-like fossil with five eyes, has provided crucial insights into the early evolution of arthropods. The study suggests that Kylinxia represents a transitional form between Anomalocaris and true arthropods, bridging the evolutionary gap between these two groups.

Argonne collaborates on largest COVID-19 viral sequence analysis in U.S.

Researchers analyzed over 5,085 strains of the virus, finding that a specific protein mutation became dominant during the second wave, causing increased transmissibility. The study also discovered a correlation between patients with this mutation and younger demographics, lower median incomes, and less severe symptoms.

Being in treatment with statins reduces COVID-19 mortality by 22% to 25%

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that patients on statin treatment had a lower risk of dying from COVID-19, with a 22-25% mortality reduction. Researchers analyzed data from 2,159 patients and concluded that fear of the pandemic should not lead to suspension of statin treatment.

Brain effects of repetitive low-level occupational blast exposure

Military personnel with extensive occupational blast exposure showed significant differences in brain imaging measures, including increased cortical thickness and neural inflammation. The study provides insight into the functional and structural neuroimaging alterations occurring in this population.

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.

AI helps detect brain aneurysms on CT angiography

A deep learning system has been developed to detect cerebral aneurysms with a sensitivity of 97.5%. The algorithm detected 633 of the 649 cerebral aneurysms and found eight new aneurysms overlooked by human readers.