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Science News Archive October 2020


Page 31 of 47

Without the North American monsoon, reining in wildfires gets harder

New research shows that climate change is altering the role of the North American monsoon in regulating wildfire season. Without the monsoon's winter rains, winter rainfall and snowpack are not enough to stop severe fires, leading to more destructive blazes. The US may learn from Mexico's land management strategies to mitigate wildfires.

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.

Crayfish 'trapping' fails to control invasive species

Research reveals that trapping is ineffective in controlling invasive American signal crayfish in Europe, and may even exacerbate the problem. A novel 'triple drawdown technique' proved significantly more accurate in determining population size.

Respiratory symptoms among adolescent e-cigarette users

Researchers investigated the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported wheezing among adolescents. The study found a significant link between e-cigarette use and increased risk of respiratory symptoms in this age group.

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.

New method uses noise to make spectrometers more accurate

Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to characterize and calibrate spectrometers using excess noise in light signals. This approach allows for faster and more accurate calibration, with results comparable to traditional methods in just a few seconds.

New medtech manufacturing capability launches in Brisbane

The new T3 Cleanrooms facility at the Translational Research Institute is accelerating Australian medical innovations into clinical trials. The facility provides small-scale sterile product manufacturing and training capacity for researchers, start-ups, and companies.

A tiny jaw from Greenland sheds light on the origin of complex teeth

A tiny jaw from Greenland has revealed the earliest known example of dentary bone with two rows of cusps on molars and double-rooted teeth, offering insights into mammal tooth evolution. The discovery suggests that complex occlusion and double-rooted teeth developed together in early mammals.

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.

Athletes don't benefit from relying on a coach for too long

A new study from Binghamton University suggests that coaches who focus on transformational leadership can help athletes become less reliant on them over time. This means that coaches who inspire and mentor their players to achieve their full potential are more likely to have a positive impact on their development.

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.

Adebiyi receives $3 Million for neonatal kidney research

Dr. Adebiyi's research investigates newborn kidney functions and their alterations in acute and long-term disease, with a focus on growth-restricted infants. The new $3 million grant will explore the cellular mechanisms underlying progressive kidney insufficiency in these babies.

Study: Darwin's theory about coral reef atolls is fatally flawed

Scientists compiled new evidence that atolls are formed by cyclic changes in sea level, contradicting Darwin's 1842 theory. Researchers found that atolls were created by flat-topped banks built over 5 million years ago, driven by fluctuations in the Earth's climate.

Penn engineers create helical topological exciton-polaritons

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new type of quasiparticle called helical topological exciton-polaritons, which have a defined spin locked to their direction of motion. This achievement opens up possibilities for using them to transmit information or perform computations at unprecedented speeds.

Ultrafast fiber laser produces record high power

The research team developed a new ultrafast fiber laser that produces an average power of over 10 kW without significant degradation in beam quality. This technology paves the way for industrial-scale materials processing and visionary applications such as space debris removal.

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.

Very low risk to newborns from moms with COVID-19, finds study

A new study by Columbia University researchers found that mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection rarely transmit the virus to their newborns when basic infection-control practices are followed. This suggests that more extensive measures like separating COVID-19-positive mothers from their newborns may not be necessary.

Even mild fatty liver disease is linked to increased mortality

A nationwide cohort study has confirmed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased mortality risk, even in mild stages. The study found that patients with NAFLD had a 93% increased risk of all-cause mortality, driven primarily by deaths from extra-hepatic cancer and cirrhosis.

EPFL scientist gains fresh insight into the origins of earthquakes

Passelègue's groundbreaking study sheds light on the dynamics of faults, finding that initial strain plays a crucial role in determining rupture speed and energy release. His model shows that higher strains trigger faster ruptures while lower strains result in slower ones.

Tighter border policies leave migrants vulnerable to effects of climate change

A new study suggests that restrictive border policies could exacerbate the effects of climate change on vulnerable regions, limiting their ability to emigrate. In contrast, open borders have a positive impact on developing countries, providing an important source of income through remittance and reducing vulnerability to climate change.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research pinpoints major drivers of tobacco epidemic among teens in South Asia

A new study by University of York found that TV advertising, free tobacco products, and exposure to smoking in public places are the biggest drivers of tobacco use among teens in South Asia. Teaching adolescents about the harmful effects of tobacco at school was effective in reducing smokeless tobacco use but not smoking.

A new approach to analyzing the morphology of dendritic spines

Researchers from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University propose a novel approach to analyzing dendritic spine shapes by considering clusterization methods. This approach can provide more accurate understanding of synaptic input and its relationship with learning, memory, and neurodegenerative disorders.

HIV epidemic: Successful use of self-tests in rural Africa

Researchers in Lesotho and Switzerland found that combining home visits with HIV self-tests increased test coverage among villagers, particularly young people. The strategy resulted in a 20% higher HIV test rate compared to traditional campaigns.

Treating bacterial infections with wasp venom

Researchers repurposed wasp venom peptides to develop anti-infectives with dual antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Mice treated with these peptides exhibited reduced bacterial counts and improved survival rates.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Skeletal muscle development and regeneration mechanisms vary by gender

Researchers found that estrogen receptor beta is essential for female skeletal muscle growth and regeneration, promoting muscle stem cell proliferation and inhibiting cell death. In contrast, male mice lacking the ERβ gene did not show impaired muscle regenerative capacity, suggesting a gender-specific mechanism.

New mechanism affecting nerve impulses discovered

Researchers at Linköping University have identified a new mechanism by which substances can open specific ion channels and regulate nerve impulses. The study reveals a large group of substances that influence the coupling between ion channel parts, opening potassium channels in a specific manner.

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.

Brain regions with impaired blood flow have higher tau levels

Research reveals a correlation between impaired blood flow and tau protein buildup in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting targeting vascular function as a key to prevention and treatment. The study used MRI and PET scans to compare blood flow and tau levels in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment.

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.

SLAC starts up new facility to revolutionize particle accelerators

FACET-II will produce highly energetic electron and positron beams, allowing researchers to understand the universe's fundamental particles and forces, as well as biology and chemistry. The facility will also aid in designing brighter-than-ever X-ray lasers and lead to improvements in existing light sources.

Bioceramic implant and skull bone regrowth

A bioceramic scaffold promotes bone regeneration and repair large bone defects without the need for bone grafts. The study found that the bioceramic converted into well-vascularized bone tissue with a structure similar to native bone.

Age does not contribute to COVID-19 susceptibility

A study by Hokkaido University scientists found that age is independent of COVID-19 susceptibility, but age-dependent factors contribute to severe symptoms and higher mortality rates. The researchers modeled data from Japan, Spain, and Italy to demonstrate this point.

Children with kidney disease have longer hospital stays

A study of US hospitals found that children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience longer hospital stays and incur higher healthcare expenses due to the complexity of their medical needs. Further investigation is needed to understand the healthcare needs of this population.

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.

Novel map reveals how immune cells fight and remember infections

A new study has created a comprehensive map of how immune cells learn to fight infections and preserve memories of these encounters. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, could help scientists develop new vaccines and therapies for various diseases by targeting specific immune cells.

Halogen impact from Mount Samalas eruption

Researchers created model simulations of the 1257 CE Mount Samalas eruption using tree-ring records and emissions data. The study found that as little as 1% of halogen released from the eruption reached the stratosphere, suggesting potential for substantial ozone depletion despite small amounts.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Penn Medicine scientists engineer bacteria-killing molecules from wasp venom

Scientists at Penn Medicine have engineered bacteria-killing molecules from toxic proteins found in wasp venom, which could help combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The new antimicrobial molecules work by disrupting bacterial membranes and summoning immune cells, showing promise as potential treatments for sepsis and tuberculosis.

To protect nature's benefits, focus on people

A new study by Stanford University's Natural Capital Project emphasizes the importance of considering diverse human needs when conserving ecosystems. The researchers argue that a one-size-fits-all approach can exacerbate existing social and racial inequalities, and instead recommend inclusive policies that prioritize equity.

Surface waves can help nanostructured devices keep their cool

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, have demonstrated a new cooling solution for nanostructured devices using surface waves. Surface phonon-polaritons (SPhPs) enhance thermal conductivity in thin membranes, improving heat transport beyond conventional acoustic phonon limitations.

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.

Border policies and climate change exposure

Researchers assessed the impact of international border policy on migration flows and climate change exposure from 2015 to 2100. They found that most migrants move to areas experiencing less severe climate change impacts when allowed to migrate.

Uneven agricultural productivity growth raises concerns in a time of pandemics

The report highlights the need for improved disease and pest management systems to address the vulnerability of lower-middle and low-income countries to pandemic-scale outbreaks. Agricultural producers face significant challenges, including reduced labor availability, supply chain disruptions, and under-funded research programs.

Stacking and twisting graphene unlocks a rare form of magnetism

Researchers at Columbia University discovered a rare form of magnetism in a three-layer graphene structure, showcasing exotic electronic states and controllable magnetic behavior. The twist angle enables the manipulation of spin-free magnetism, opening new possibilities for quantum computation and energy-efficient data storage.

Cardiovascular disease and sociopolitical stress

Researchers analyzed health records of nearly 3 million US adults before and after the 2016 presidential election, finding higher acute CVD hospitalization rates following the election. The study suggests that sociopolitical stress may be a contributing factor to increased risk of acute cardiovascular disease.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Prospective parents' mental health linked to premature births

A new study has found that both mothers and fathers with mental health problems are more likely to have a baby born prematurely. Men with persistent mental health issues were more likely to have a preterm birth, while women with anxiety and depression during pregnancy also increased the risk.

New bioengineering approach to fix fetal membranes

Researchers have discovered a new method to repair defective fetal membranes using small bioengineered molecules, which could help prevent preterm birth. The study found that these molecules can self-assemble to form a plug that seals holes within the fetal membranes.