Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 37


Page 37 of 43

Boosting treatments for metastatic melanoma

Researchers have identified a new class of sedatives that could enhance the effectiveness of radiation and immunotherapy treatments for metastatic melanoma, reducing toxic side effects. In animal models, these treatments resulted in improved infiltration of immune cells into tumors, shrinking or eliminating cancerous growths.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateNov 5, 2020

Large-scale cancer proteomics study profiles protein changes in response to drug treatments

The study generated a valuable resource to aid in predicting drug sensitivity, understanding therapeutic resistance mechanisms, and identifying optimal combination treatment strategies. The dataset includes expression changes in over 200 clinically relevant proteins across more than 300 cell lines after treatment with 168 different com...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 5, 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.

Nature-inspired solutions to sustainably increase crop yield

GAIN4CROPS project uses nature-inspired approaches to enhance photosynthetic efficiency in sunflowers, promoting climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture. The research could lead to decreased land, nitrogen, and water usage, aligning with efforts to conserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.

SourceINsociety·DateNov 5, 2020

Children produce different antibodies in response to SARS-CoV-2

Children and adults produce different types and amounts of antibodies in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with children clearing the virus more efficiently. The study found that children produced fewer neutralizing antibodies against the virus's spike protein compared to adults.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Immunology·DateNov 5, 2020

Ecologically friendly agriculture doesn't compromise crop yields

Increasing diversity in crop production improves biodiversity and ecosystem services, while maintaining crop yields. Diversification practices like crop rotation, intercropping, and reduced tillage can enhance pollination, pest regulation, and soil fertility.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 5, 2020

Temple researchers: bacterial biofilm in urinary tract accelerates lupus in humans

Researchers at Temple University Health System found that bacterial biofilms in the urinary tract can trigger autoimmune reactions in lupus patients. The study identified a link between chronic bacterial infections and increased frequency of lupus flares, suggesting a potential new approach to controlling flare-ups.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateNov 5, 2020

Archive of animal migration in the Arctic

The Arctic Animal Movement Archive provides a global dataset of animal migration patterns, revealing changes in behavior and ecosystem responses to climate change. Studies have found that golden eagles arrive earlier in spring following mild winters, while caribou herds are giving birth earlier in the north.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

De novo protein decoys block COVID-19 infection in vitro and protect animals in vivo

Neoleukin Therapeutics announces a novel protein decoy NL-CVX1 that blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. The lead molecule is shown to protect hamsters from lethal doses of the virus through intranasal administration. This development demonstrates the potential of de novo protein design technology for addressing biological problems.

SourceRathbun Communications, INC.·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020

From hard to soft: making sponges from mussel shells

Researchers have discovered a new form of calcium carbonate that is soft and absorbent, found in mussel shells. They tested its ability to absorb oils and dyes, finding it highly effective but limited by scalability and cost, for potential use in marine pollution cleanup.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateNov 5, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Improving the Endangered Species Act requires more than rule reversal

The Trump administration's recent ESA changes have sparked controversy due to their potential impact on economic activity. To address the issue, researchers propose improving consensus and transparency in the ESA language to reduce inconsistencies and promote conservation legitimacy.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020

Precision chemo-immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer?

Researchers have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate that selectively recognizes and penetrates pancreatic tumors, reducing tumor size and metastasis. The treatment, which uses MRI-based molecular imaging to monitor its effect, shows promise as a more precise approach than existing treatments.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalAdvanced Science·DateNov 5, 2020

Utilizing a 'krafty' waste product: Toward enhancing vehicle fuel economy

Researchers from Kanazawa University create a new, high-performance carbon fiber material by chemically modifying Kraft lignin, reducing its weight while maintaining mechanical strength. The resulting composite exhibits almost 3-fold improvement in mechanical strength compared to unmodified Kraft lignin.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateNov 5, 2020

Host genetic factors shape composition of virus communities

Research at the University of Zurich reveals that host genetic differences explain most of the variation in virus community composition. Genetic diversity within species is crucial for immune system function and should be prioritized in agriculture to improve pathogen resistance.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 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.

Keeping our cool

Agricultural emissions alone could exceed the 1.5°C limit by 2050 if left unchecked, according to Tilman. Reducing food production emissions is crucial to keeping the planet livable in its current state, with strategies including more plant-rich diets and easing fertilizer use.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020

COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse -- new study

A new study found that COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse in 40% of cases, with internal and external factors contributing to the increase in symptoms. Tinnitus affects an estimated one in eight adults in the UK, and the pandemic has made it more difficult for people to access healthcare support for the condition.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateNov 5, 2020

NIH researchers identify gene in mice that controls food cravings, desire to exercise

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a gene called Prkar2a in mice that influences their eating habits and motivation to exercise. The study found that mice lacking this gene consumed less high-fat food and drank less sugar solution than those with the gene, while also being more inclined to exercise.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalJCI Insight·DateNov 5, 2020

Better health - for people and the planet - grows on trees

Researchers outline the benefits of tropical fruits in terms of nutrition and discuss barriers to scaling up supply. Smallholder farmers and marginalized groups can benefit from tree-sourced food sources, which can also provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalPeople and Nature·DateNov 5, 2020
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.

Blood cell mutations confound prostate cancer liquid biopsy results

Researchers discovered that clonal hematopoiesis, a phenomenon where non-cancer DNA mutations are present in blood plasma, is confounding prostate cancer liquid biopsy results. This can lead to false positives and incorrect treatment for patients undergoing liquid biopsies.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateNov 5, 2020

Multidisciplinary team to lead €10.4 million project, 4-OCEANS

A multidisciplinary team will assess the significance of marine life to human societies during the last two millennia. The 4-OCEANS project aims to understand the consequences of marine resource exploitation for societal development, with a focus on informing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the Decade for the Oceans.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·DateNov 5, 2020

Hospitalizations for drug use-related eye infections in US

Researchers investigated changes in rates and risk factors for vision-threatening eye infections related to IV drug use. Over a decade, US hospitalizations for these infections increased, with notable risks among young adults and those with underlying health conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateNov 5, 2020
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.

Researchers study strength-training gender gap, possible solutions

New Penn State research reveals disparities in physical activity between men and women, with women more likely to feel uncomfortable using campus recreation facilities. The study suggests that design changes, social environments, and policies can help create welcoming spaces for all students.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of American College Health·DateNov 5, 2020

Antiangiogenic therapy can cause malignancy in kidney cancers

Researchers found that antiangiogenic therapy can increase the invasiveness of kidney tumors and induce a poor prognosis. A new biomarker, ALDH1A3, has been identified to predict patient response to treatment.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateNov 5, 2020

Changes in cancer survival after Medicaid expansion

Researchers found a significant increase in cancer survival rates among Medicaid expansion states compared to non-expansion states. The study analyzed data from breast, colorectal, and lung cancer patients and discovered improved survival outcomes following the expansion of healthcare coverage.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 5, 2020

Costs to informal carers for people in the last three months of life are larger than those to formal

A new study published in BMC Medicine reveals that informal carers provide more than half of total care costs in the UK, Ireland, and US during the last three months of life. The research emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for community palliative care services to enhance care quality and reduce burden on caregivers.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBMC Medicine·DateNov 5, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Water striders learn from experience how to jump up safely from water surface

A new study shows that water striders modify their leg movements to jump safely, depending on their body weight and experience. Female water striders with added weight adjust their midleg movement speed and male striders don't show similar adjustments.

SourceLaboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution at Seoul National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2020

New research on imposter stars may improve astronomical data

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have linked quick flashes of light to growing satellite and space debris, providing a potential explanation for mysterious night sky phenomena. The study's findings may help reduce false alarms in astronomical surveys and improve data accuracy.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 5, 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.

Clay subsoil at Earth's driest place may signal life on Mars

Researchers discovered diverse microbes in Chile's Atacama Desert clay layers, which could indicate the presence of microorganisms on Mars. The study provides a guide for searching for life on the red planet, informing where to look and which instruments to use.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2020

Corn and other crops are not adapted to benefit from elevated carbon dioxide levels

Research reveals that crops adapted to pre-industrial environments, like corn and sorghum, cannot efficiently utilize elevated CO2 levels. Experts propose engineering these plants to optimize resource allocation, potentially boosting productivity in a future with rising CO2 concentrations.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·DateNov 5, 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.

European funding worth millions for Bielefeld computer scientist

Barbara Hammer and her team will explore new technologies for secure drinking water supply in cities with the help of 10 million euros from the European Research Council. They are developing controllable artificial intelligence to detect factors putting strain on the system, enabling operators to make informed decisions.

SourceBielefeld University·DateNov 5, 2020

UTEP leads collaborative abiotic CO2 project through $1.18 million NSF grant

The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1.18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study abiotic carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics in dryland systems through irrigated pecan orchards. The project aims to understand the conditions that enhance CO2 production and develop methods to model and predict its impact.

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·DateNov 5, 2020
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.

Scientists define binary tropical cyclones

Researchers establish objective standards for defining and identifying binary tropical cyclones (BTCs), which can bring extreme precipitation and cause serious disasters. The study analyzed two best-track datasets and provides a main standard for defining BTCs, based on separation distance and coexistence time.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateNov 5, 2020

Next-generation computer chip with two heads

Researchers at EPFL's LANES laboratory have created a revolutionary circuit that combines logic operations and data storage into a single architecture, reducing energy losses and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough technology uses a 2D material called MoS2 to enable smaller, more powerful devices with improved performance.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2020

Sugar-coated viral proteins hijack and hitch a ride out of cells

Researchers have discovered a potential broad-spectrum anti-viral drug target by identifying how encapsulated viruses hijack the protein manufacturing and distribution pathways in cells. This approach offers an attractive alternative to developing individual drugs for each virus, with the same compound targeting multiple viruses.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2020
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.

Global food system emissions threaten achievement of climate change targets

The global food system accounts for nearly a third of total greenhouse gas emissions, with land clearing and deforestation, fertilizer use, and fossil fuel combustion major contributors. Reducing food system-related emissions is crucial to meeting the 1.5°C warming target

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020

Urban air pollution estimates may overshadow full picture for China

Researchers found that particulate matter (PM2.5) is overestimated in winter and ozone (O3) is underestimated in urban areas compared to suburban areas across all of China. This highlights the need for more data outside urban areas to accurately assess air pollution impacts on ecosystem functions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateNov 5, 2020

Reducing global food system emissions key to meeting climate goals

A new study published in Science finds that greenhouse gas emissions from the global food system could lead to a 1.5°C temperature increase by mid-century and 2°C by the end of the century. Transforming farming practices, eating habits, and reducing food waste are crucial to achieving climate goals.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 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.

Population dynamics and the rise of empires in Inner Asia

Researchers analyzed genome-wide data spanning 6,000 years in eastern Eurasian Steppe, revealing a spectacular level of genetic diversity among Xiongnu and Mongol populations. The study found no evidence for lactase persistence, challenging current medical models.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalCell·DateNov 5, 2020

Resensitizing 'last-resort' antibiotics for treatment of infections

Researchers repurpose an antirheumatic gold drug, auranofin (AUR), to revive the potency of 'last-resort' antibiotics against multi-drug resistant superbugs. The combination therapy shows promising results in eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria in animal models.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2020
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.

New multiscale view of the human brain

Researchers developed a geometric network model to study the multiscale organization of the brain, finding that layers at different resolutions exhibit self-similar structure and efficient decentralized communication. This discovery has implications for understanding brain functioning and may lead to advanced tools for brain simulation.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2020

Mothers' lifestyle predicts when offspring will have first heart attack or stroke

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that mothers' cardiovascular health significantly affects their children's risk of developing heart disease. Offspring of mothers with ideal cardiovascular health lived nine more years without cardiovascular disease compared to those with poor health.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateNov 4, 2020

Study examines trends in symptoms experienced at the end of life

Researchers analyzed data from 665 older adults to find trends in end-of-life symptoms. The study found that rates decreased for certain symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping and shortness of breath, while others increased or remained stable.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 4, 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.