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Science News Archive October 2020


Page 17 of 47

New research reveals why low oxygen damages the brain

A new study reveals that brain cell dysfunction in low oxygen is caused by the body's protective response system, which ultimately impairs brain cell function. Researchers have identified a class of drugs that can overcome this damage and restore brain-stem cell function.

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.

Brigham researchers make strides in detecting preeclampsia risk

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified several biomarkers that can predict the risk of preeclampsia from a blood sample drawn at 12 weeks gestation. The study also found possible subtypes of preeclampsia linked to platelet dysfunction and complement system dysfunction.

Smile, wave: Some exoplanets may be able to see us, too

Astronomers have identified 1,004 main-sequence stars that might contain Earth-like planets in their habitable zones, all within 300 light-years of Earth. These exoplanets could detect signs of a biosphere in Earth's atmosphere.

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.

Building blocks of language evolved 30-40 million years ago

Researchers from the University of Warwick found that monkeys, apes, and humans can process relationships between words in a sentence, including non-adjacent dependencies. This ability predates the evolution of language itself by at least 30-40 million years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why can our brains learn and memorize?

Researchers have created a detailed model of how the brain learns and memorizes, shedding light on long-term potentiation and depression. The model simulates the competition between exocytosis and endocytosis of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory formation.

The highest heat-resistant plastic ever is developed from biomass

Researchers at JAIST and U-Tokyo successfully developed a thermodegradable aromatic polymer with the highest heat resistance of all reported plastics, using cellulosic biomass as feedstock. The plastic exhibits superior thermostability over 740°C and is lightweight, making it suitable for circular economy applications.

Aging alone does not explain kidney pathology

Researchers analyzed 1,347 nephrectomy specimens to understand kidney histopathological findings. They found that more scarring in glomerulus, tubules/interstitium, and vessels is associated with worse kidney function.

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.

Robots and humans collaborate to revolutionize architecture

Researchers at Princeton University developed a unique installation, LightVault, using robotic strength and precision to reduce resource use. The structure's doubly curved design improved its structural efficiency by reducing material requirements.

OPD optical sensors that reproduce any color

Researchers at POSTECH developed thin-film organic photodiodes with accurate and simple junction engineering, controlling spectral response of wavelengths. This innovation enables the production of color-filter-free optical sensors, a significant advancement in replacing silicon photodiodes.

ALMA shows volcanic impact on Io's atmosphere

A team of astronomers used ALMA to capture radio images of Io during eclipses, showing the direct effect of volcanic activity on its atmosphere. They found that active volcanoes produce 30-50 percent of Io's atmosphere, with potassium chloride also present in volcanic regions.

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.

Observed COVID-19 variability may have underlying molecular sources

A UC Riverside-led study found that COVID-19 variability may have underlying molecular sources in SARS-CoV-2 host gene expression. The researchers identified specific genes, such as ACE2 and CLEC4G, that are variably expressed and linked to infection susceptibility and symptom severity.

New drug that can prevent the drug resistance and adverse effects

Researchers have developed a new cancer-specific anticancer drug that can prevent drug resistance and reduce side effects. The drug is designed to release an anticancer agent along with a drug-resistance inhibitor in cancer cells, effectively treating cancers without recurrence or treatment failure.

More turkey dinners for people with celiac disease?

A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that tryptophan, an amino acid present in turkey, combined with certain probiotics, can help individuals with celiac disease heal and manage symptoms. The research suggests targeting tryptophan metabolism in the gut may offer a potential therapy for better symptom control.

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.

A flexible color-changing film inspired by chameleon skin (video)

Researchers created a flexible film that changes color in response to stretching, pressure, or humidity, mimicking the color-changing properties of chameleon skin. The film is made from renewable cellulose nanocrystals and has potential applications in anti-counterfeiting measures, strain sensing, and encryption.

Oxygen can do a favor to synthesize metal-organic frameworks

Chemists from the Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials discovered how oxygen affects the synthesis of a novel MOF; copper 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-benznetriol metal-organic framework. Oxygen prevents ligands from reducing Cu ions to Cu metal, facilitating MOF synthesis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Genomic differences may be key to overcoming prostate cancer disparities

African American men are more susceptible to prostate cancer due to immune-oncologic differences, which can be exploited for personalized treatment options. The study found elevated immune pathways and higher expression of T lymphocytes in African American prostate tumors, suggesting better responses to radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Novel method for measuring spatial dependencies turns less data into more data

A novel method for measuring spatial dependencies uses mathematical techniques normally used for time-series analysis to identify influences between geographic phenomena in small data sets. The approach allows for robust inferences of influences and interpolations to intermediate areas or distant regions, even with limited data.

Delivering proteins to testes could someday treat male infertility

Researchers have developed a protein delivery system that restored normal sperm development and allowed previously infertile mice to father pups. The treatment delivered a key protein called PIN1 directly to mouse testicles, repairing damaged reproductive cells and improving fertility.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hidden states of the COVID-19 spike protein

A joint UC Berkeley-ITU team uses molecular dynamics simulations and single molecule experiments to identify the processes that happen when the virus binds to human cells. They discover intermediate states and specific amino acids that stabilize each state, which may lead to targeted treatments.

High flavanol diet may lead to lower blood pressure

Researchers found that consuming flavanol-rich foods and drinks, such as tea and apples, can lead to significant reductions in blood pressure. The study used objective measures of thousands of UK residents' diet and found a comparable effect to Mediterranean and DASH diets.

Thermal vision of snakes inspires soft pyroelectric materials

Scientists have created soft pyroelectric materials that can convert heat into electricity, solving the mystery of how snakes sense their surroundings in the dark. The development is based on a mathematical model inspired by the physiology of snake pit organs.

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.

Scientists take major step toward Angelman Syndrome gene therapy

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine show that gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 can restore function in an animal model of Angelman syndrome. The therapy was effective in restoring the UBE3A enzyme in human neurons and treating deficits in an animal model, offering a long-lasting treatment or cure for this debilitating disease.

PIDS honors Dr. Penny M. Heaton

Dr. Penny M. Heaton is honored with the PIDS Distinguished Research Award for her outstanding contributions to vaccine clinical research and development. She leads efforts at the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, optimizing therapeutics, vaccines, and monoclonal antibody candidates.

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on radiation therapy for rectal cancer

The new guideline provides options for different treatments to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Recommendations address patient selection, pelvic radiation treatments, integration with chemotherapy and surgery, and follow-up care.

Five key factors for improving team learning in distance education

The redesigned course overcomes obstacles of collaborative learning online, including teacher confidence, student resistance, and plagiarism. The five key elements - student-focused and active, structured in phases, multi-format, 360 assessment, and proactive online professor - improve student satisfaction and teamwork skills.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found a 10-fold increased risk of COVID-19-related death in individuals with Down syndrome. Meanwhile, the FDA is reevaluating its REMS program for mifepristone to improve women's health access during the pandemic and post-pandemic

Simple software creates complex wooden joints

Researchers created Tsugite, a 3D design application to simplify wood joint creation and fabrication. The system allows users to design functional wooden structures quickly and efficiently, without nails or glue, promoting sustainability and flexibility in construction.

Cognitive performance - Better than our predecessors

A new study using chess game data shows that cognitive capacity increases steadily until around the middle of the fourth decade before plateauing. Modern 30-year-olds exhibit a higher level of cognitive ability than those born 100 years ago at the same age.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Serum creatinine-to- cystatin C ratio predicts mortality

Higher serum creatinine-to-cystatin C ratios are associated with lower mortality rates in patients initiating continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury. This simple tool may improve mortality risk assessment in critically ill patients developing AKI.

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.

Study finds go-to hormone for cycad propagation ineffective

A new study published in HortScience found that the commonly used rooting hormone IBA has no effect on cycad propagation, contrary to previous research. The study's findings highlight the need for further research on cycads and could improve conservation efforts in countries where commercial IBA products are difficult to obtain.

Vanilla cultivation under trees promotes pest regulation

Research by the University of Göttingen found that vanilla plantations with more trees have higher predator activity, which can lead to better pest control. This study contributes to understanding the ecological function of species involved in agroforestry systems and supports the UN's ecosystem restoration goals.

Cognitive elements of language have existed for 40 million years

Researchers found that monkeys, chimpanzees, and humans share the ability to process non-adjacent dependencies, a crucial element of language. This suggests that this cognitive skill existed in our most recent common ancestors with these species around 40 million years ago.

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.

Player behavior in the online game EVE Online may reflect real world country

A study found that EVE Online players' in-game social and economic behavior correlates with their home countries' aggressiveness and macro-economic environment. Players from more aggressive countries were less aggressive towards fellow players, while those from countries with higher unemployment rates traded more cautiously.

Bronze Age herders were less mobile than previously thought

Research on Bronze Age pastoral societies in southern Russia reveals low levels of mobility, contradicting previous assumptions about their migration patterns. The study analyzed skeletal remains to conclude that these communities remained within their ecological areas and relied on word-of-mouth transmission of technical innovations.

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.

In pursuit of alternative pesticides

Scientists are developing safer alternatives to chlorpyrifos, a widely used insecticide linked to human health problems and environmental damage. Researchers are testing biodegradable hydrogel beads, targeted soil treatments, and root-based applications to minimize exposure in agricultural workers.

At our cores, we're all strengthened by 'dumbbells'

Researchers identify 'dumbbell-like' structures in DNA that link to genes with flexible domains, suggesting a connection between chromosome structure and gene expression. The discovery promises new avenues for research into the secrets of chromosomes.