Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 43


Page 43 of 43

Nerves keep pancreatic cancer cells from starving

Pancreatic cancer cells use nerve growth factor to signal nerves to grow into dense tumors and secrete nutrients like serine. This allows the cancer cells to multiply despite nutrient starvation, highlighting a unique adaptation that contributes to their deadliness.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateNov 2, 2020

'BAH-code' reader senses gene-silencing tag in cells

Researchers have identified a new and evolutionarily conserved pathway responsible for silencing genes in mammalian cells. BAHCC1 protein is involved in the Polycomb pathway, which generates a chemical tag to silence genes, and its high expression is linked to leukemia, challenging current understanding of gene silencing.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 2, 2020

Sleep-deprived mice find cocaine more rewarding

Mice sleep-deprived for research show increased preference for lower doses of cocaine, while rested mice do not. Blocking the orexin system reduces the increased cocaine preference driven by sleep deprivation.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateNov 2, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Evidence of mounted horseback riding in ancient China

Researchers found evidence of mounted horseback riding in ancient China, with signs of chronic use of saddles and metal bits on horse skeletons. The discovery suggests that the region played a crucial role in spreading equestrianism to early Chinese civilizations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2020

Fossils reveal mammals mingled in age of dinosaurs

A new study reveals that mammals developed social behavior much earlier than previously thought, interacting with dinosaurs in tightly packed clusters. The fossils, which are about 75.5 million years old, show evidence of multiple mature adults and subadults congregating, indicating a complex social structure.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 2, 2020

A loan for lean season

Researchers found that small loans during the lean season led to higher quality of life, increased agricultural output, and greater wages. The study's results validated the importance of seasonal variability to rural farmers' livelihoods, highlighting the need for economic interventions that account for this factor.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateNov 2, 2020

Microfluidics helps MTU engineers watch viral infection in real time

Researchers used microfluidic devices to study the interaction between viruses and cell membranes, revealing high-resolution understanding of electric shifts happening at the surface. The technique showed that glycine can interrupt capsid formation for replicated viruses within the cell.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalLangmuir·DateNov 2, 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.

Light-modulated graphene-organic heterojunction transistors realizing photocurrent logic changes

Researchers have developed a graphene-organic heterojunction transistor that can modulate photocurrent speed, magnitude, and direction using light. The device utilizes the effective exciton thickness limitation of an intermediate organic transport layer to achieve logic reversal under optical modulation.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateNov 1, 2020

Rotation of a molecule as an "internal clock"

Researchers at the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics have investigated ultrafast fragmentation of hydrogen molecules in intense laser fields using a new method. They used the rotation of the molecule as an internal clock to measure the timing of the reaction triggered by a second laser pulse.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 1, 2020

Sheer protection from electromagnetic radiation

A KAUST team has developed a printable ink with high conductivity and transparency for use in solar panels and novel electromagnetic wave blocking. The ink's performance was demonstrated in a frequency selective surface, showing decent reflection across multiple frequencies and polarization insensitive results.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNanotechnology·DateNov 1, 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.

Machine learning that predicts anti-cancer drug efficacy

A research team at POSTECH developed a machine learning technique that uses transcriptome information from artificial organoids to predict anti-cancer drug response. This method increases predictive accuracy by selecting only relevant biomarkers, which was previously limited by false signals in conventional machine learning.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 1, 2020

Boosting the capacity of supercapacitors

Researchers at KAUST developed a new material that significantly improves the energy density of supercapacitors, enabling quick bursts of energy. The material uses covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with carefully selected molecular functional groups to overcome conductivity limitations.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateNov 1, 2020

Beetle larvae think with a brain 'under construction'

Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that beetle larvae start using their brains before they are fully formed, defying conventional wisdom on insect intelligence. The study revealed that key parts of the brain's central complex are active in the larva, allowing it to orient itself in its environment.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 1, 2020

Neurosurgeons and malpractice suits

The survey found that spine surgery had the highest number of medical malpractice suits among neurosurgeons. Fear of lawsuits influences their practice, with defensive medicine being a common response. The study highlights the need for transparent communication, better informed consent forms, and fair compensation to patients.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalNeurosurgical FOCUS·DateNov 1, 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.