Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2020


Page 21 of 47

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

More than 'just a fish' story

Researchers identify genetic diversity among Neosho and Northern smallmouth bass subspecies, emphasizing importance of origin when stocking streams to avoid 'genetic swamping.' The study's findings could inform fisheries management strategies to preserve native populations and prevent dominant subspecies from outcompeting others.

Untreated sleep apnea is associated with flu hospitalization

A new study found that adults with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to be hospitalized for the flu, while those using CPAP therapy had a lower risk. The study also suggested that treating sleep apnea may have a beneficial effect on the immune system and reduce health care costs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Happy endings trip up the brain's decision-making

Research finds that focusing on the ending of an experience can lead to undervaluing positive experiences that end poorly. The brain's neural representation of a pleasant ending can overpower information from the amygdala, resulting in poor decision-making.

Exercise and nutrition regimen benefits physical, cognitive health

A 12-week exercise regimen improved physical fitness in active-duty airmen, with added benefits from consuming a nutrient-enriched beverage. The study found significant gains in strength, endurance, mobility, and stability, as well as enhanced cognitive function, including better episodic memory and fluid intelligence.

Driver of the largest mass extinction in the history of the Earth identified

A new study reconstructs the Permian-Triassic boundary event, revealing that massive volcanic activities in Siberia triggered the extinction of 95% of ocean life. The team used fossil brachiopod shells to analyze isotopes and simulate Earth's processes, concluding that warming and acidification led to catastrophic consequences.

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.

Advancing wildlife genomics through the development of molecular methods

A new method, Sonication Inverse PCR (SIP), has been developed to identify any genome sequence located next to a known sequence. This approach uses high-frequency sound waves to randomly cut DNA, eliminating bias from enzyme use, and is applied across clinical settings and molecular evolutionary analyses.

High pressure is key for better optical fibers

Researchers from Hokkaido University and the US used computer simulations to show that high pressure can reduce light scattering in silica glass fibers by over 50%. This could enable longer distance data transmission without amplification, revolutionizing global communication.

A trillion turns of light nets terahertz polarized bytes

Researchers at Rice University and Politecnico University have demonstrated the first nanophotonic platform capable of manipulating polarized light 1 trillion times per second. The platform uses plasmonic metasurfaces to exploit ultrafast electronic mechanisms, enabling faster data transmission rates.

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.

An integrated approach to ultrasound imaging in medicine and biology

This article discusses the integration of ultrasound imaging in medicine and biology, enabling advanced techniques such as molecular imaging and therapy. The use of ultrasound contrast agents and microbubble cavitation has opened up new opportunities for intracellular delivery and cancer treatment.

A renewable solution to keep cool in a warming world

Seawater air-conditioning (SWAC) has been shown to provide the same cooling energy as 21 wind turbines or a solar power plant the size of 68 football fields, making it a viable alternative to conventional air-conditioning. The technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in cooling systems.

MDI Biological Laboratory awarded $3.14 million for kidney research

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a grant to develop artificial kidney tissue to replace human kidney tissue lost due to disease or injury. The project aims to create a three-dimensional mini-organ called an organoid that can be transplanted into a host and potentially scaled to create an artificial human kidney.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study identifies key enzyme for development of autoimmune diseases

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine identified PKM2 as a critical enzyme involved in immune cell differentiation and exacerbation of inflammation in autoimmune diseases. The findings suggest that targeting PKM2 could lead to more effective treatments, reducing symptoms by over 50%.

Study discovers gene that helps us know when it's time to urinate

Researchers discovered a gene called PIEZO2 that helps the body sense when the bladder is full, leading to an urge to urinate. The study, published in Nature, found that PIEZO2 is highly active in certain neurons and cells that line the bladder, suggesting its role in controlling the urinary process.

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.

Hand-held device reads levels of cancer biomarker

Researchers at McMaster University have developed a prototype for a hand-held device that can read the levels of a cancer biomarker, similar to a blood-sugar monitor. The device simplifies cancer testing by allowing patients to collect samples at home and providing accurate results in minutes.

Palau's coral reefs: a jewel of the ocean

Scientists from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation found Palau's coral reefs to have exceptionally high live coral cover, exceeding 45%, and species diversity. However, reef fish communities were found to be lacking, with many big fish missing and signs of overfishing observed on nearshore reefs.

Ancient DNA and range of bovids and rhinoceroses

A study analyzing ancient DNA from Tibetan Plateau remains found that prehistoric bovids were genetically similar to modern Asian wild gaurs and diverged approximately 18,000 years ago. Rhinoceroses roamed the region between 8,000 to 6,000 years ago, suggesting a warm and moist environment at the time.

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.

The 'Goldilocks Day': the perfect day for kids' bone health

A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that children need a specific balance of physical activity, sleep, and sedentary time to optimize their bone health. The ideal combination includes 1.5 hours of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, 10.9 hours of sleep, and careful moderation of sedentary activities.

Scientists map the human proteome

Researchers have mapped 90% of the human proteome, revealing key interactions between proteins that influence human health. This breakthrough has implications for understanding COVID-19 and developing precision medicine.

Microscopy beyond the resolution limit

A Polish-Israeli team has introduced a new method of super-resolution microscopy that, in theory, has no resolution limit. The technique, called SOFISM, uses naturally occurring fluctuations in emission intensity to enhance spatial resolution.

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.

Great Chinese Famine and tuberculosis risk

A study found that prenatal and early-life exposure to the Great Chinese Famine significantly increases the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in adulthood across two generations. Over 12,000 active PTB cases were attributed to famine exposure between 2005 and 2018 in Sichuan Province.

Gender inequalities accelerate during early adolescence, study finds

Research across 40 low- and middle-income countries found that adolescent girls face high burdens of poor sexual reproductive health, violence, and child marriage. Boys experience poorer outcomes in areas like mortality, substance use, and labor, highlighting the need to address gender inequality during early adolescence.

Radiative cooler that cools down even under sunlight

A joint research team from POSTECH and Korea University has developed a daytime radiative cooling effect that exhibits lower temperatures than its surroundings even during the day. The new material, produced in centimeters, showed a cooling efficiency of up to 6.1°C during strong sunlight.

Researching the chips of the future

The UPV research team is working on generic purpose programmable chips that can provide numerous functionalities using a single structure. This technology has great potential and value due to its complementarity with electronics.

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.

Probiotic bacteria and multiple sclerosis severity in mice

A probiotic bacterial species significantly worsens multiple sclerosis severity in a mouse model. The study reveals the critical role of Lactobacillus reuteri in modulating disease risk, with colonized mice exhibiting more severe symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in skilled nursing facilities

Researchers examined asymptomatic and presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in skilled nursing facilities across the US, revealing significant variation in case counts by county. The study highlights the importance of considering local COVID-19 prevalence when evaluating infection control strategies.

Tiny beetles a bellwether of ecological disruption by climate change

A University of Colorado Boulder-led research confirms that competition between species slows their expansion into new territories over multiple generations. The study uses tiny flour beetles as a model organism to show how interspecies competition puts certain species at greater risk of extinction.

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.

Using plasma jets to decontaminate medical equipment exposed to Covid-19

Researchers at Lancaster University are exploring the use of cold atmospheric plasma jets to decontaminate medical equipment contaminated with Covid-19. This innovative approach aims to reduce cleaning time, eliminate risk of chemical exposure, and decrease the potential for antimicrobial resistance.

The Milky Way galaxy has a clumpy halo

The Milky Way's circumgalactic medium (CGM) has a disk-like geometry, with denser areas where stars are forming and material is being traded between the galaxy and the CGM. The discovery provides insight into the galaxy's formation and evolution, as well as its interaction with the surrounding universe.

Save it or spend it? Advertising decisions amid consumer word-of-mouth

A new study in Marketing Science suggests that when consumers learn about products from others, high-quality businesses should increase their advertising spending to prove quality. Conversely, when all consumers share their experiences, a high-quality business may benefit from reducing its ad spend.

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.

Significant link found between air pollution and neurological disorders

A large-scale study found significant associations between air pollution and an increased risk of hospital admissions for several neurological disorders. The research analyzed data from over 63 million US adults and linked fine particulate pollution with higher rates of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias.

Tapping secrets of Aussie spider's unique silk

Researchers have discovered a unique type of silk produced by the Australian basket-web spider, which is rigid and robust. The study suggests that this silk could be used to create a new genetic material with potential applications.

'Multi-omics' adds new cell to immune family tree

WEHI researchers used 'single cell multi-omics' to identify a previously unknown lymphocyte progenitor, which could give rise to T and B lymphocytes. This discovery adds a new layer to the immune family tree and provides insights into how these cells develop.

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.

Cheaters don't always win: species that work together do better

Researchers found that communities with multiple mutualist species are better equipped to withstand the negative effects of cheaters, as there are backup species to perform the same task. This is because having multiple species with similar roles provides a backup in case one species goes extinct.

Trees bring benefits to society, regardless of their origin

A study by Université de Genève analyzed 911 tree species in Geneva's urban spaces and found that most native and non-native species provide similar ecosystem services. Despite some drawbacks, the research concludes that introduced species can have a beneficial role in certain contexts.

Scientists improve model of landslide-induced tsunami

Researchers have developed a new model of landslide-induced tsunamis that accounts for the initial location of the landslide body on the shelf slope. The study reveals that tsunami height is affected by the coastal slope and the position of the land mass before slipping, leading to more accurate predictions.

Tropical cyclones moving faster in recent decades

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that tropical cyclones have been moving faster across ocean basins since 1982, with the North Atlantic experiencing an increase in hurricane frequency. The researchers attribute this trend to a combination of natural and human-induced climate change.

Global analysis of microbial diversity in marine sediment

Marine sediment shows similar overall diversity to topsoil and seawater, despite decreasing microbial community diversity with depth. Key factors influencing taxonomic composition include organic carbon concentrations and dissolved oxygen presence.

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.

Ultraviolet shines light on origins of the solar system

A team of researchers from Arizona State University compared the sun's composition to ancient materials formed in the solar system, finding that oxygen isotopes were inherited from the protosolar molecular cloud. This suggests that ultraviolet light processing occurred before the solar nebula formed.

Nutrient cycling in Lake Baikal

A study analyzing silicon isotope composition of diatoms reveals a significant increase in silicon availability in the 20th and 21st centuries. Climate records show an increase in wind strength, which contributes to nutrient upwelling from Lake Baikal's depths.