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Science News for October 2, 2020


Climate change responsible for record sea temperature levels, says study

A recent report by the Journal of Operational Oceanography reveals an unprecedented rise in sea temperatures worldwide, with the Arctic Ocean experiencing the largest increase. The report highlights the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and calls for improved monitoring to ensure sustainable use of seas and oceans.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Operational Oceanography·DateOct 2, 2020

Babies' random choices become their preferences

Researchers found that babies as young as 10-20 months old exhibit a phenomenon where they prefer the unchosen option, indicating an unconscious bias. This bias disappears when the element of choice is removed, suggesting it may be linked to how adults make decisions.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 2, 2020

A putative mechanism that switches brain pathology from anxiety to depression discovered

Researchers discovered a novel brain mechanism that links anxiety and depression, showing unique cellular mechanisms activate as one pathology progresses into another. The 'switch' involves astrocytes and cytoskeletal mechanisms, which may be targeted for new classes of psychotropic drugs.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateOct 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.

DECT in the ED: better diagnoses, less follow-up, more savings

Dual-energy CT enhances radiologist confidence in emergency department imaging studies, leading to reduced downstream imaging and associated costs. This technology resulted in a decrease of recommended follow-up imaging examinations totaling $52,991.53-61,598.44.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateOct 2, 2020

New clues about the link between stress and depression

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a key protein called p11 that affects the brain's response to stress, potentially increasing the risk of depression. The study found that mice with low p11 levels react more strongly to stress and exhibit anxiety-like behavior.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2020

Face masks unlikely to cause over-exposure to CO2, even in patients with lung disease

A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateOct 2, 2020
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.

Subsidized cars help low-income families economically, socially

A study published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research found that subsidized car ownership has a transformative impact on low-income families, allowing them to access better education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The research also highlighted the importance of considering the broader social benefits of car ow...

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·DateOct 2, 2020

Solving global challenges using insect research

Research on insects addresses sustainability science goals such as promoting peace and improving health by providing innovative solutions to pressing problems. Insects are identified as unsung heroes in tackling multifaceted sustainability challenges.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalCurrent Opinion in Insect Science·DateOct 2, 2020

Future climate changes in nature reserves

A new study examines the effects of future climate change on over 137,000 nature reserves worldwide, revealing severe local impacts, especially in tropical countries. The research highlights the importance of informed management to mitigate climate change effects and preserve biodiversity.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateOct 2, 2020

Smartphone surveys find a connection between daily spiritual experiences and well-being

Researchers found a connection between daily spiritual experiences and overall well-being, with both stable and fluctuating experiences contributing to mental well-being. Daily spiritual experiences, such as feeling God's presence or inner peace, were associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of flourishing.

SourceBaylor University·JournalInternational Journal for the Psychology of Religion·DateOct 2, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study highlights shortcomings in telemedicine despite large increases in remote consults during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that despite increased telemedicine use, the number of primary care consultations fell by over 21% in the second quarter of 2020. This drop was accompanied by a significant decline in blood pressure and cholesterol checks, which are crucial for detecting cardiovascular disease risks.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 2, 2020

Liquid biopsies timely and effective testing method for NSCLC patients in Canada

Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre found that over 80% of advanced NSCLC patients had genomic alterations detected in cfDNA. Liquid biopsies were shown to be a timely and effective method for diagnosing and monitoring the disease, with actionable alterations detected in over 56% of treatment-naïve patients.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·DateOct 2, 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.

Potential new tool for frost screening in crops

Agricultural scientists at the University of Adelaide have identified a potential new tool for screening cereal crops for frost damage using terahertz imaging technology. The non-destructive method was found to successfully screen barley plants for frost damage, with individual grain positions along the spike also detectable.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 2, 2020

Cancer immunotherapy 'uniquely suppressed' by liver tumors

Researchers discovered that liver tumors can harness the liver's powers to retrain the immune system and exert its influence on distant cancer cells. Adding a second checkpoint inhibitor in combination therapy may overcome this resistance and increase immunotherapy effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience Immunology·DateOct 2, 2020

Sex-specific adverse drug effects identified by Columbia University algorithm

Researchers developed an algorithm to predict sex-specific adverse drug effects, identifying 20,817 adverse drug effects posing sex-specific risks. The algorithm addresses confounding biases and provides an opportunity to minimize adverse events by tailoring drug prescription and dosage to sex.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPatterns·DateOct 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.

Awakening after a sleeping pill

A patient with akinetic mutism, a rare condition causing temporary paralysis and speech absence, experiences a remarkable recovery after taking a sleeping pill. Brain scans reveal overactive brain regions that can be suppressed by the medication, allowing for temporary speech and movement.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalCortex·DateOct 2, 2020

Biomedical sciences researchers find new way to prevent and cure rotavirus, other viral infections

Biomedical researchers at Georgia State University have identified a novel method for eradicating rotavirus and other viral infections using interleukin-18 and interleukin-22. The study shows that these cytokines can rapidly and completely eliminate viruses from intestinal epithelial cells, even in compromised immune systems.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalScience Immunology·DateOct 2, 2020

Cheating birds mimic host nestlings to deceive foster parents

Research reveals that a group of parasitic finch species in Africa have evolved to mimic their host's chicks with astonishing accuracy. The study found that nestlings of these 'brood-parasitic' finches mimic the appearance, sounds and movements of their grassfinch host's chicks.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEvolution·DateOct 2, 2020
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.

New tool shows main highways of disease development

Researchers developed a comprehensive tool to explore disease development patterns, identifying main highways of disease progression. The Danish Disease Trajectory Browser analyzes 25 years of public health data to discover frequent disease trajectories.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2020

Nitric oxide a possible treatment for COVID-19

A study by Uppsala University researchers suggests that nitric oxide may be an effective treatment for COVID-19, with antiviral properties that inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The compound is produced naturally in the body and has been shown to reduce inflammation and boost blood-oxygen saturation levels.

SourceUppsala University·JournalRedox Biology·DateOct 2, 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.

Enhancing blood sugar control boosts brain health for people with type 2 diabetes

Controlling blood sugar levels boosts cognitive function, including thinking, learning, and remembering. However, more weight loss and exercise only improve executive function skills, while verbal learning and memory decline. Effective management of type 2 diabetes is crucial to offset its negative effects on brain health.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 2, 2020

Hidden DNA fragment the 'trigger switch' for male development

Scientists have discovered a new piece of DNA crucial for forming male sex organs in mice, revealing the Y-chromosome gene Sry has two distinct parts. The findings suggest this discovery could be used to manipulate sex ratios in agriculture and biological pest management, but not on human embryos.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateOct 2, 2020

New model examines how societal influences affect US political opinions

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a quantitative model to understand how politicized environments affect US political opinion formation and evolution. The model incorporates three psychological effects: attraction/repulsion, tribalism, and perceptual filtering, to simulate how populations change their opinions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateOct 2, 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.

Fuelling the energy revolution

A German chemist is researching green hydrogen production using sunlight to meet the EU's climate targets. The goal is to replace fossil-based raw materials with sustainable green hydrogen for transportation, industry, and heating, aiming to become a global leader in this field by 2035.

SourceUniversität Paderborn·DateOct 2, 2020

Searching for the chemistry of life

A study by DESY's X-ray source PETRA III reveals that dry heating can form characteristic DNA base pairs without water or solvents. The team observed the formation of adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine pairs at temperatures between 100-200 degrees Celsius, suggesting a possible alternative route to molecular recognition patterns in DNA.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalChemical Communications·DateOct 2, 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.

Could a poo transplant one day be the secret of eternal youth?

A new study from University of East Anglia and University of Florence reveals that faecal transplants can alter gut microbiome, impacting spatial learning and memory in mice. The procedure may hold promise as a therapy to combat cognitive decline among the elderly.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalMicrobiome·DateOct 2, 2020

Liquid biopsy faster than tissue biopsy, improves time to treat

A pilot study comparing liquid biopsy with tissue-based test found that liquid biopsy results were approximately 10 days faster than tissue biopsy. Liquid biopsy identified actionable genes in 14 cases, while tissue biopsy only detected them in 11 cases.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·DateOct 2, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Harvesting vegetation on riparian buffers barely reduces water-quality benefits

Researchers found that allowing farmers to harvest vegetation from riparian buffers minimally impacts water quality, with only slight annual average reductions in nutrient and sediment capture. The location of the buffer was most important, as buffers between fields and streams removed more pollutants than those near streams.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateOct 2, 2020

New COVID test doesn't use scarce reagents, catches all but the least infectious

A new COVID test has been developed that omits scarce reagents needed for previous tests, providing accurate results with high accuracy (92%) and reliability. The two-step test is ideal for screening programs in both developing and developed countries, and could extend testing capacity to groups not currently being tested.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 2, 2020

The mode of detection of high-risk breast cancers is linked to patient prognosis

Research at the European Breast Cancer Conference highlights a significant difference in survival rates between breast cancers detected during screening and those detected in the interval between screenings. Screen-detected cancers have higher eight-year distant metastasis-free interval rates, even among high-risk tumours.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·DateOct 2, 2020

How speech propels pathogens

Researchers discovered that speech generates conical airflow that can travel up to 2 meters in 30 seconds, emphasizing the importance of time and distance in transmission. Saliva filaments form on the lips during consonant sounds, breaking into microscopic droplets that spread pathogens.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 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.

New research on cataract surgery in order to improve health care

Researchers analyzed surgical outcomes in Swedish cataract surgeries from 2007-2016, finding that high-volume surgeons had a lower proportion of severe cases and complications. The study suggests that surgeons can improve patient safety by understanding the impact of case mix on outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalOphthalmology·DateOct 2, 2020

Research shows cell perturbation system could have medical applications

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new cell perturbation system that can deliver DNA, RNA, and proteins into cells with high efficiency and low toxicity. The Nanofountain Probe Electroporation system has the potential to revolutionize medical treatments by enabling quicker and more customized treatment plans.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSmall·DateOct 2, 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.

NASA finds heavy rainfall ringing major Hurricane Maria's eye

Heavy rainfall was found to be occurring around the compact eye of Major Hurricane Marie, with NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) estimating rainfall rates ranging from 3-20mm/hour. The satellite data provides valuable insights into the storm's intensity and helps improve hurricane forecasting.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 2, 2020