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Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 26


Page 26 of 43

Men feel less powerful in their private lives

A new study suggests that men feel less powerful in their private lives compared to public lives. The research, conducted by Lund University and others, found that both men and women value private life over public life, with women perceiving themselves as having more power in this area.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 12, 2020

New approach to circuit compression could deliver real-world quantum computers years ahead of schedule

Researchers have developed a new software method for compressing quantum circuits, reducing the size and runtime of large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers. This compression technique achieves up to 77% reduction in volume, potentially enabling the realization of real-world quantum computers years ahead of schedule.

Pollution and pandemics: A dangerous mix

A new study from the Chakrabarty lab found a strong linear association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and R0, which denotes the expected number of people each sick person can infect. The researchers also discovered that secondary inorganic components in PM2.5 increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateNov 12, 2020

Cellular survivors

Researchers have identified two key factors involved in cellular recovery from extreme stress, which may provide new strategies for treating cancers. The study reveals that apoptosis is a more nuanced process than previously known, and sometimes cells survive the executioner caspase via anastasis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2020

Teaching the internet of things to learn

The VEDLIoT project is developing a new generation of IoT platforms that use machine learning to improve the performance and energy efficiency of devices. The platform aims to enable autonomous vehicles, smart homes, and industrial applications to learn and adapt to their environments.

Virtual reality forests could help understanding of climate change

A virtual reality forest created by geographers can let people walk through a simulated forest of today and see potential future scenarios. The researchers used data on a typical Wisconsin forest to create a more organic, natural feel, allowing visitors to experience the changes brought on by climate change.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Geographical Information Science·DateNov 11, 2020

Losing the American Dream

A recent study published in Demography found that Black homeowners are twice as likely to lose their homes compared to white homeowners, with kin network wealth and poverty accounting for a significant portion of the gap. The researchers examined the impact of trigger events and found that having impoverished relatives can be a burden,...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalDemography·DateNov 11, 2020

Robotic AI learns to be spontaneous

Researchers developed a new method for designing spontaneous behaviors in robots, inspired by complex temporal patterns in animal brains. The approach uses high-dimensional chaos and reservoir computing to implement humanlike cognitive functions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 11, 2020

National study reveals new insights into avoidable harm in primary care

A national study of general practices in England found that diagnostic error (60%), medication incidents (25%), and delayed referrals (11%) are the main causes of avoidable harm. Researchers identified patient factors such as old age and multiple health problems, highlighting challenges in protecting patients from harm.

Tips for making nanographene

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new and efficient way to create nanographene, a material that is expected to revolutionize technology. The method uses an atomic force microscope (AFM) to precisely control the fabrication process, allowing for the creation of tailored nanographene formations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 11, 2020

New insights into facial birth defects are revealed by Mount Sinai researchers

The study, published in Genes and Development, reveals the role of signaling pathways in regulating cell behavior, including proliferation, death, and migration. The research team identified new signaling outputs that function independently of established FGF signal transduction pathways, particularly in cell adhesion.

Protein in blood may predict prognosis, recovery from stroke

Researchers found that neurofilament light protein levels in the blood can predict stroke severity and prognosis, as well as anticipate future recovery. Higher NFL levels forecast worse functional outcomes and shorter survival time after a stroke. This discovery establishes NFL as a promising prognostic biomarker for stroke.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 11, 2020