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Science News Archive October 2020


Page 2 of 47

New drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19

Researchers have identified a potential treatment for COVID-19 using the approved protease inhibitor aprotinin, which inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. The study found that aprotinin aerosols may be effective in preventing severe COVID-19 disease when applied early after diagnosis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Giving the immune system a double boost against cancer

Researchers have developed a new treatment that induces an integrated immune response in tumors of patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancers, which are resistant to immunotherapy. The treatment, plerixafor, works by interrupting an immunosuppressive pathway, allowing critical immune cells to infiltrate the tumors.

Microbes in the gut could be protective against hazardous radiation exposure

A new study has identified two types of bacteria that can provide protection against radiation exposure by increasing production of propionate and tryptophan. These metabolites were found in leukemia patients undergoing radiotherapy, suggesting a potential alternative to expensive and potentially harmful treatments.

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.

Most isolated massive stars are kicked out of their clusters

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that the vast majority of field massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are 'runaways,' or stars ejected from clusters. They discovered that these stars could have formed in isolation or were dynamically ejected due to unstable orbital configurations.

New artificial skin functions like natural skin

Researchers created an artificial skin equivalent that reproduces traction-force balance in the lateral direction, a property controlling skin structure and function. This human-skin equivalent enhances physiological skin function analysis, disease research, and reduces animal testing.

Wistar creates a new synthetic DNA vaccine against Powassan virus

Scientists at The Wistar Institute have developed a synthetic DNA vaccine against Powassan virus, which causes a deadly tick-borne disease with neurological consequences. The vaccine elicits broad immune responses in mice and provides protection in a challenge animal model.

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.

Researchers devise new method to get the lead out

A new method allows researchers to extract lead from point-of-use filters, providing a clearer picture of lead levels in tap water. The process takes less than an hour and can be repeated multiple times to provide accurate data on household water use.

Asteroid's scars tell stories of its past

Researchers studied impact marks on asteroid Bennu to reconstruct its history, revealing it formed hundreds of millions of years ago but wandered into Earth's neighborhood recently. The study provides a new benchmark for understanding asteroids and offers insights into hazardous space debris.

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.

Well oriented

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed new palladium catalysts for polymerization, enabling the efficient synthesis of isotactic polar polypropylene (iPPP) with high isotacticity. The discovery opens up new possibilities for creating specialty plastics with improved wettability or enhanced degradability.

Potential impact of COVID-19 school closures on academic achievement

A study projects that returning students likely started school this fall with significant academic losses due to extended school closures. The top third of students may have made gains in reading, but educators and policymakers must address the academic struggles of many students who fell behind academically.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How octopus suckers "taste by touch"

Researchers have discovered how octopuses can taste objects by touch using their suckers, which include discrete populations of sensory cells. The study found that distinct chemotactile receptors form ion channel complexes that detect specific signals and send them to the nervous system.

A new method to measure optical absorption in semiconductor crystals

The study confirms the accuracy of ODPL measurements and reveals the possibility of measuring optical absorption in crystals using this method. Researchers found that the origin of the two-peak structure in ODPL spectra is due to the Urbach-Martienssen absorption tail observed in many semiconductor crystals.

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.

Groundbreaking study on trained immunity to fight cancer

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a 'nanobiologic' immunotherapy that trains the innate immune system to eliminate tumorous cells. The approach has shown promising results in mouse melanoma models and non-human primates, offering a new anti-cancer therapy.

How the immune system deals with the gut's plethora of microbes

Researchers discovered that the gut's local immune system creates antibodies tailored to specific microbiota, challenging the long-held assumption of a non-specific approach. This finding has significant implications for understanding the relationship between the immune system and the composition of our microbiomes.

New study demonstrates importance of large-scale SARS-CoV-2 antibody

A novel approach to measuring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has been developed, revealing a discrepancy between reported virus-positive cases and actual antibody prevalence. The study found that over 47% of antibody-positive children were asymptomatic, with significant geographic differences in antibody frequency across Bavaria.

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.

Yearlong study of coronavirus in frontline workers underway

A yearlong study is being conducted to find the percentage of frontline workers positive for COVID-19, the duration of immunity, and whether antibodies produced protect against reinfection. The study aims to identify the most potent antibodies and develop effective vaccines using monoclonal antibodies.

Aspirin use best for those with high coronary calcium, low risk of bleeding

A new study suggests that aspirin use is most beneficial for individuals with high coronary calcium scores and a low risk of bleeding. The research found that for patients with CAC scores above 100, aspirin's benefits outweigh its risks, but this effect only applies to those with inherent low bleeding risks.

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.

Genetic determinants of fertility and ongoing natural selection in humans

A recent study has identified genetic variants associated with reproductive success, which may provide insights into the biology of fertility and infertility. The research found that diverse biological mechanisms contribute to reproductive success, implicating both neuroendocrine and behavioral influences.

Intensive urate lowering reduces urine albumin excretion

Combination therapy of verinurad and febuxostat significantly lowers urinary albumin excretion and uric acid levels in people with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. The treatment is generally well-tolerated, with minimal adverse events reported.

Disease-transmission model forecasts election outcomes

A new election forecasting approach uses a mathematical modeling technique to describe how voters in different states may influence each other during an election year. The model forecasts a victory for Biden 89.03% of the time, with a margin of victory lower than the percentage of undecided voters.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study reveals impact of COVID-19 on oncology staff and their work

A survey of 1038 healthcare professionals reveals that 69% believe patients' access to standard care treatment has been compromised during the pandemic. The study also found that 42% felt at risk of poor wellbeing and 34% showed signs of burnout, but most staff reported being able to work well despite challenges.

Why people with dementia go missing

A new study from University of East Anglia found that people with dementia are at higher risk of going missing in areas with dense and disordered road networks. The research identified environmental risk factors that contribute to the issue, including complex intersections and disorganized layout.

COVID-19 and obesity: Top abstracts at ObesityWeek® Interactive

Recent research highlights the significant effects of COVID-19 on people with obesity, including immune system impact and outcomes in critically ill patients. Top abstracts from ObesityWeek Interactive showcase the influence of pandemic lockdowns on lifestyle behaviors and eating habits.

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.

Cornell synchrotron receives $32.6M from NSF for new X-ray beamline

The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) will build a High Magnetic Field (HMF) beamline with a $32.6M NSF grant, enabling precision X-ray studies of materials in persistent magnetic fields. The partnership with National MagLab and UPR will create a powerful facility for scientific discovery.

Where were Jupiter and Saturn born?

A team of scientists, led by Matt Clement, used simulations to study the formation of Jupiter and Saturn. The findings suggest that these two planets were originally closer together than previously thought, with a ratio of two Jupiter orbits to one Saturnian orbit being more consistent with the current configuration.

Bound for the EU, American-made biomass checks the right boxes

A first-of-its-kind study found that the US wood pellet industry has a net positive effect on southeastern US forests, with overall carbon storage increased and standing-dead trees decreasing. However, the researchers caution that future expansion and increasing demand may pose concerns if not monitored closely.

Shining a (UV) light on the glow-in-the-dark platypus

The platypus fur exhibits biofluorescence under UV light, similar to other mammals like opossums and flying squirrels. Researchers discovered this phenomenon using museum specimens and propose it could aid these nocturnal animals in spotting each other.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Advanced facade material for urban heat island mitigation

Researchers developed two analytical models to evaluate retro-reflective materials' reflection directional characteristics, achieving more accurate results than traditional methods. The study aims to mitigate urban heat islands and reduce building energy consumption.

Copolymer helps remove pervasive PFAS toxins from environment

Researchers have developed a tunable copolymer electrode that can capture and destroy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances present in water using electrochemical reactions. The process results in a high-energy efficiency and can remove PFAS contaminants from drinking water and natural bodies of water.

Some COVID-19 "long haulers" experience lasting skin problems

A new analysis found that some COVID-19 patients experience persistent skin-related symptoms long after recovery. Researchers evaluated almost 1,000 cases and identified a previously unreported subset of patients with long-standing skin symptoms from COVID-19.

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.

Asteroid Ryugu shaken by Hayabusa2's impactor

The Hayabusa2 mission's artificial impact crater on asteroid Ryugu revealed significant boulder movements and seismic shaking, up to 40m from the center. The study provides valuable insights into asteroids' resurfacing processes and can be used as a benchmark for numerical simulations.

Brainstem neurons control both behaviour and misbehaviour

A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that brainstem neurons play a crucial role in controlling both normal behaviour and misbehaviour in mice. The researchers discovered that faulty gene regulation can lead to behavioural abnormalities such as hyperactivity and attention deficit. The study provides new insights into the d...

Molecular compass for cell orientation

Scientists at IST Austria identified a molecular compass that perceives auxin concentration and allows cells to synchronize their behavior for coordinated vein formation and regeneration. This phenomenon also applies to wound healing, enabling the growth of more mechanically resistant plants.

A groundbreaking genetic screening tool for human organoids

Researchers developed a new technique, CRISPR-LICHT, allowing for the analysis of hundreds of genes in human tissue using cerebral organoids. The method identified a specific mechanism controlling brain size and pinpointed microcephaly genes, shedding light on a genetic disorder.

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.

Americans agree: improving our public health system is an urgent priority

A recent survey by Research!America found that 78% of Americans prioritize improving the nation's public health system, while 71% are willing to pay $1 more per week in taxes for an emergency fund. The survey also revealed strong bipartisan support for addressing health disparities and research into new treatments.

Touch and taste? It's all in the tentacles

Researchers at Harvard University discovered a unique sensor system in octopus suction cups that allows them to detect and 'taste' molecules on objects, enabling the animals to identify prey. This novel chemotactile receptor system may also facilitate complex behaviors in octopuses and other cephalopods.

Flash graphene rocks strategy for plastic waste

Researchers at Rice University have created a new method to convert plastic waste into high-quality graphene, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The flash graphene process eliminates much of the expense associated with recycling plastic, making it an economically viable alternative.