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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

In a warming climate, can birds take the heat?

A study found that both temperate and tropical birds can tolerate high temperatures, with some species, such as doves and pigeons, exceeding heat limits, providing a buffer against climate warming. However, caution is needed as indirect effects on resources and forest structure may impact bird populations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateNov 12, 2020

Astrocytes identified as master 'conductors' of the brain

Researchers at Duke University have discovered that astrocytes play a crucial role in governing connections between neurons. The star-shaped cells form the glue-like framework of the brain and regulate inhibitory synapses by binding to neurons through an adhesion molecule called NrCAM.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateNov 12, 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.

COVID-19 shutdown effect on air quality mixed

Researchers found a decrease in nitrogen dioxide concentrations at most monitoring sites, but no significant improvement in particulate matter. In contrast, some areas experienced worse air quality in April 2020 compared to previous years.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBulletin of Atmospheric Science and Technology·DateNov 12, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 12, 2020

Researchers generate a brain cell type crucial to support neural activity

Researchers at the University of Malaga have developed a method to generate human oligodendrocytes from pluripotent stem cells, crucial for supporting neural activity. This breakthrough enables the creation of OLs in just three weeks, opening up new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and ALS.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalNature Protocols·DateNov 12, 2020

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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The COVID-19 pandemic: How US universities responded

Most US universities implemented at least three non-pharmaceutical interventions within a week of the WHO pandemic declaration. Announcements about canceling international travel and moving to remote learning came quickly, with most universities making these announcements between March 4-20.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 12, 2020

Fluvoxamine may prevent serious illness in COVID-19 patients

Researchers found that fluvoxamine prevented serious clinical deterioration in COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate disease. The study, which involved 152 patients, showed that those treated with fluvoxamine were less likely to become seriously ill and require hospitalization.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateNov 12, 2020

NIST designs a prototype fuel gauge for orbit

The new fuel gauge uses electrical capacitance volume tomography to digitally recreate a fluid's 3D shape based on its electrical properties. This technology can provide reliable measurements to prevent satellites from colliding and keep them operational for longer.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets·DateNov 12, 2020

Landslide along Alaskan fjord could trigger tsunami

Researchers have measured a slow-motion landslide on an Alaskan slope, which could potentially trigger a devastating tsunami. The study found that the slope on Barry Arm fjord has slid over 120 meters from 2010 to 2017, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and shipping routes.

SourceOhio State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 12, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Dopamine surge reveals how even for mice, 'there's no place like home'

A study by neuroscientists from Florida Atlantic University demonstrates that the act of coming home produces a signal of comfort in mice, triggering a rapid increase in dopamine release. This finding suggests that 'home is where the brain is' and has implications for understanding addiction and mood disorders.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalNeurochemistry International·DateNov 12, 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.

Catalyzing a zero-carbon world by harvesting energy from living cells

Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a way to harness energy from living cells by modifying highly functionalized PCAs into biorenewable molecules. The new catalyst enables the selective hydrogenation and dehydration of Krebs cycle metabolites, producing compounds with valuable applications in plastics and polymers.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 12, 2020

Dogs are sensitive to their owners' choice despite their own preference

Researchers found that dogs' looking times were influenced by the owner's expressed preference, but not their fetching behavior. The study suggests that dogs can perceive and respond to human displays of preference, but may not fully understand the subjective nature of desire.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·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.

SourceBielefeld University·DateNov 12, 2020
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.

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
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New study points to a better way to ward off asthma triggers

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that blocking OX40L and CD30L, two key immune molecules, is crucial to preventing asthma attacks. The study shows how these molecules contribute to inflammation in the lungs during an allergic reaction.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 11, 2020

Silicone surface mimics topology, wettability of a real human tongue

A team of scientists developed a soft, 3D silicone surface that replicates the topography and wettability of a real human tongue. The biomimetic surface demonstrated similar frictional properties to an actual human tongue, making it suitable for studying mechanical interactions with food, liquids, and medicines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·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

On the way to lifelike robots

Researchers Mirko Kovac and Aslan Miriyev propose merging artificial intelligence with physical bodies to create lifelike robots. By combining materials science, biology, and computer science, they aim to achieve symbiosis between humans and machines.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateNov 11, 2020
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.

Turning heat into power with efficient organic thermoelectric material

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an efficient organic thermoelectric material made from buckyballs with organic side chains. This breakthrough enhances the material's ability to convert temperature differences into electricity, making it suitable for powering wearable electronics and sensors.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2020

240 mammals help us understand the human genome

A large international consortium has sequenced the genome of 130 mammals and analyzed existing data to identify important DNA positions. This information can help researchers understand disease mutations in humans and preserve endangered species.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2020

Electrochemical oxygen evolution on Hf2B2Ir5 electrode material

Researchers have discovered a new electrocatalyst, Hf2B2Ir5, that exhibits high activity in the oxygen evolution reaction during water electrolysis. The material's cage-like crystal structure and cooperative phases enable stable and efficient performance over long periods.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateNov 11, 2020

Uracil switch in SARS-CoV-2 genome alters innate immune responses

Researchers found human editing enzymes behind a COVID-19 virus mutation that stimulates pro-inflammatory molecule release. The mutation altered innate immune responses, and further study is needed to determine its impact on virus elimination or symptom aggravation.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 11, 2020
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.

Tree rings may hold clues to impacts of distant supernovas on Earth

Researchers found evidence suggesting that relatively close supernovas could have triggered four disruptions to Earth's climate over the last 40,000 years. The study used tree ring records to search for fingerprints of distant cosmic explosions, with promising candidates including a 13,000-year-old Vela supernova.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalInternational Journal of Astrobiology·DateNov 11, 2020

Power-free system harnesses evaporation to keep items cool

Researchers at MIT developed a two-layered material that provides extended cooling using evaporation, inspired by camel fur. The system can keep perishable goods fresh for up to eight days and has potential applications in food packaging and pharmaceutical storage.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJoule·DateNov 11, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Real-time alerts associated with lower mortality

The study found a 16% lower mortality rate among patients who triggered an alert from the Advance Alert Monitor system. Patients with AAM alerts had lower ICU admission rates, shorter hospital length of stay, and lower mortality within 30 days of an alert.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 11, 2020

Researchers find evidence of pandemic fatigue

A new study from USC reveals that older people's behavior changed over time during the pandemic, with a notable increase in preventive behaviors by May. The researchers found that certain groups, including Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, exhibited consistently higher preventive behavioral responses.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPLOS ONE·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
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.

The persistent problem of 1,4-dioxane in water

The US EPA has listed 1,4-dioxane as a likely carcinogen due to its persistence in water. Advanced oxidation processes can remove it, but are expensive and energy-intensive. Communities using wells for public drinking water are especially prone to contamination.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateNov 11, 2020

Not all patients with certain type of heart attack receive the same care

A study published by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that patients with type 2 myocardial infarction often receive inconsistent care. The research indicates that patients evaluated by cardiologists are more likely to undergo stress tests and heart imaging exams, and have higher rates of follow-up cardiology visits.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·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.

SourceNIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateNov 11, 2020

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
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.

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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 11, 2020
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.

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

New research explores the thermodynamics of off-equilibrium systems

Physicist David Wolpert developed a hybrid formalism to analyze far-from-equilibrium systems with explicitly distinguished subsystems. The formalism combines advances in nonequilibrium statistical physics and graphical models, allowing for the study of nanoscale systems like biological cells.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 11, 2020