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Science News Archive November 2020


Page 42 of 43

For plant and animal immune systems the similarities go beyond sensing

Researchers have discovered a family of plant immune proteins with striking resemblance to vertebrate MLKLs, triggering cell death in response to pathogens. These findings provide new insights into how plants protect themselves from microbial invaders and highlight the shared machinery involved in cell death across kingdoms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Intelligent cameras enhance human perception

A research team at FAU has developed an intelligent camera that achieves high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution. The camera can precisely determine material properties and depth, opening up new applications in autonomous driving, environmental protection, and agriculture.

Consequences of glacier shrinkage

Researchers studied a 2014 GLOF event in Ladakh, India, to understand the cause of rapid lake level rise. They found that increased glacial melting caused thawing ice cores to drain through subsurface tunnels without spilling over.

Devil in the defect detail of quantum emissions unravelled

Scientists have uncovered the chemical structure behind defects in white graphene that emit single photons, paving the way for controlled fabrication and practical applications. The study reveals a direct link between carbon incorporation and quantum emission, with potential implications for quantum sensing and computing.

Tunable THz radiation from 3D topological insulator

Researchers have efficiently generated chiral terahertz waves with adjustable polarization, enabling the development of ultrafast opto-spintronics and information encryption applications. The generation process utilizes a three-dimensional topological insulator of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanofilms driven by femtosecond laser pulses.

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.

Starting kindergarten on the right foot

A new study by researchers at Université de Montréal found that kindergarten readiness is associated with better academic, psychological, and health outcomes in emerging adulthood. The study, published in Pediatrics, analyzed data from over 2,000 children born between 1997 and 1998 and found that kindergarten math skills and classroom ...

Canada should approve HIV self-testing

Integrating HIV self-testing into Canada's health system could lead to better HIV detection and management, especially for underdiagnosed populations. The authors propose four factors for successful introduction, including rapid approval of WHO-approved tests and cost-effectiveness studies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Do octopuses' arms have a mind of their own?

Octopuses' arms may have a mind of their own due to their unique nervous system, with over two-thirds of neurons located in the arms. Researchers found that octopuses can learn to associate arm movements with rewards, suggesting some sense of self-movement from the arms.

Outcomes of contact tracing in San Francisco

Researchers investigated case investigation and contact tracing outcomes in San Francisco during the pandemic. The study found that effective contact tracing contributed to reduced spread of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

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.

Rural areas have fewer mental health services for young people

A recent study found that very rural areas in the US have significantly fewer mental health services for young people, with only 3.9% of rural ZIP Codes having facilities that serve youth. This lack of access exacerbates the already high suicide rate among rural youth, highlighting the need for increased resources.

Neanderthal children grew and were weaned similar to us

Researchers found that Neanderthal children grew at a similar rate to modern humans, introducing solid foods around 5-6 months old, and were likely of similar weight to neonates. This suggests a possible shorter inter-birth interval and similar gestational history.

An underwater navigation system powered by sound

The new Underwater Backscatter Localization (UBL) system uses piezoelectric materials to reflect modulated signals, providing positioning information at net-zero energy. In shallow water, the researchers employed frequency hopping and reduced bitrate to overcome reflection issues, enabling precise tracking of moving objects.

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.

What's for dinner? Dolphin diet study

A study of common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf found declines in carbon values, suggesting a decrease in primary productivity or changes in prey selection. The research highlights the need for careful management of marine parks and surrounding environments to prevent overfishing and nutrient runoff.

Root bacterium to fight Alzheimer's

A novel class of compounds called rhizolutin has been discovered in a soil bacterium, Rhizolutin dissociates protein aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease both in vivo and in vitro. The compound has been shown to reduce inflammatory processes and cell death caused by Aβ plaques in neuronal and glial cells.

The role of the Sun in the spread of viral respiratory diseases

A theoretical model shows that solar radiation, UV light, and antigenic shift/drift frequency drive the cyclicality of epidemics. The Italian team's work accurately reproduces seasonal patterns for various viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, and predicts high-intensity initial cycles followed by moderate-intensity annual cycles.

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.

NUS researchers invent flexible and highly reliable sensor

The National University of Singapore team developed a new sensor material called TRACE with significantly less hysteresis, enabling more accurate wearable health technology and robotic sensing. The breakthrough improves the reliability of data readouts, allowing for wider applications in healthcare and robotics.

Lizard skull fossil is new and 'perplexing' extinct species

A new species of ancient lizard, Kopidosaurus perplexus, has been discovered with a unique skull shape featuring curved teeth. The fossil's placement on the tree of life is uncertain, with three different evolutionary trees suggesting multiple possible positions.

Focus on COVID-19 deaths in under-65s for better insights into infection rates

Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a model that analyzes age-specific COVID-19 death data from 45 countries, revealing consistent patterns across countries. The study highlights the importance of focusing on deaths in under-65s for better understanding of infection rates and developing effective government strategies.

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.

Where you get depression care matters, study finds

Researchers found significant variation in the effectiveness of collaborative care programs for depression in primary-care clinics. Clinics with more intensive implementation support and those that had several years of practice achieved better outcomes. Patients who are more severely depressed or have fewer resources may also have wors...

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.

New insight into how brain neurons influence choices

A recent study by researchers at WashU Medicine has discovered that the activity of specific brain neurons encodes the value of options and determines final decisions. The findings have significant implications for understanding decision-making in mental health conditions such as addiction, depression, and schizophrenia.

New analysis method can lead to better cancer drugs

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new DNA-based analytical method called NanoDeep, which enables the analysis of entire populations of cells. This breakthrough could lead to better drugs for breast and other cancers by providing a more detailed understanding of membrane protein organisation.

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.

Excessive alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased alcohol consumption in the United States due to stress and social isolation. Experts at McLean Hospital recommend educating people on managing stress without alcohol, drinking within safe limits during physical distancing, and recognizing signs of excessive use.

Rise of flowering plants and decline of conifers

The study reveals increased extinction rates for conifers since the Cretaceous, attributing their decline to competition between flowering plants and conifers. The rise of angiosperms is seen as a major factor in this process, according to the authors.

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.

A.I. tool provides more accurate flu forecasts

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology developed an A.I.-powered forecasting tool that incorporates location data to predict influenza outbreaks up to 15 weeks in advance with an accuracy increase of 11%. The algorithm identifies hidden patterns by encoding flu infections as interconnected regional clusters, enabling better res...

Bats can predict the future, JHU researchers discover

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that bats use a combination of echolocation calls and head movements to predict the future position of their prey. This discovery enhances our understanding of auditory-guided behaviors in animals and humans, including sight-impaired individuals who rely on sound to navigate.

New cause of COVID-19 blood clots identified

A new study identifies an autoimmune antibody as a cause of COVID-19 blood clots in up to half of patients. Researchers found that blocking or removing these antibodies may improve outcomes for severely ill patients.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Seven different 'disease forms' identified in mild COVID-19

Researchers have identified seven distinct groups of symptoms in mild COVID-19, including flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and loss of smell and taste. These findings suggest that the disease leaves behind significant changes in the immune system, even after recovery, and could inform the development of more effective vaccines.

Ultrapotent COVID-19 vaccine candidate designed via computer

A new ultrapotent COVID-19 vaccine candidate, designed via computer, has been shown to produce virus-neutralizing antibodies in mice at levels ten times greater than those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19 infections. The vaccine candidate also elicited a strong B-cell response after immunization.

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.

Self-watering soil could transform farming

A new type of soil created by engineers at the University of Texas at Austin can pull water from the air and distribute it to plants, potentially increasing crop yields in previously inhospitable areas. The hydrogel soil retained up to 40% of its initial water quantity, outperforming sandy soils in dry areas.

ACA's expansion of Medicaid improved maternal health

The ACA's Medicaid expansion improved preconception health indicators for low-income women, including increased health counseling and daily folic acid intake. While no changes were found in chronic condition prevalence or health behaviors, the expansion may help address risk factors for maternal and child health.