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Science News Archive October 2020


Page 33 of 47

Hurricanes, heavy rains are critical for Hawai'i's groundwater supply

Research led by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa scientists reveals that rain from hurricanes and Kona storms is a key source of fresh water for Hawaii's groundwater. The study analyzed rainfall and stable isotopes to determine the origin of water in aquifers, finding significant amounts of rainwater recharging groundwater.

Single gene disorders not so simple after all

A new study finds that patients with single gene disorders like Bardet-Biedl syndrome carry three times as many additional mutations, clustered around specific genes, which contribute to disease severity. This discovery challenges the traditional view of simple vs complex disorders and opens up new avenues for therapy development.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Using electric current to stabilize low-permeability soils

Scientists at EPFL's LMS have developed a geoelectrochemical system that enhances biocement production and improves soil stabilization for low-permeability clay soils. The method harnesses bacterial metabolism and electric current to produce calcite crystals that durably bond soil particles together.

14 recommendations for the protection of freshwater biodiversity beyond 2020

The article highlights the urgent need to protect freshwater biodiversity, with international research team IGB issuing 14 recommendations for political follow-up agreements. The recommendations focus on recognizing inland waters as a separate ecological 'third realm' and improving monitoring and management of freshwater ecosystems.

Rainforest at biosphere 2 offers glimpse into future of the Amazon

A new study published in Nature Plants suggests that tropical forests like the one at Biosphere 2 may be more resilient to predicted temperature increases than previously thought. The rainforest's ability to photosynthesize steadily even at high temperatures, up to 38C, challenges current climate change predictions for the Amazon.

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.

New therapy improves treatment for multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the University of Chicago have designed a new therapy for multiple sclerosis by fusing a cytokine to a blood protein. This combination prevented destructive immune cells from infiltrating the central nervous system and decreased MS development, leading to fewer symptoms and disease prevention.

Reward-related brain region predicts childhood weight gain

A study using MRI found a positive association between nucleus accumbens cellular density and waist circumference in childhood. Higher cellular density predicted greater increases in waist circumference over time, linking unhealthy eating to obesity.

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.

Mental health disorders related to COVID-19-related deaths

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in mental health disorders and substance use issues, with evidence indicating a significant increase in these conditions. Researchers have found that the pandemic's impact on daily life has contributed to this rise.

The perfect angle for e-skin energy storage

Materials scientists developed a method to spray graphene ink onto flexible substrates at a specific angle and temperature, creating micro-supercapacitors with excellent performance. The new design stores up to 2 times more charge per square centimeter than previous devices, making it suitable for wearable electronic skin devices.

Improved mobility in frail and elderly adults linked to common gene variant

Research finds that older, frail adults with a high-dopamine genotype are more likely to maintain a faster gait and may be more resilient to mobility disablement as they age. The study suggests that dopamine levels could influence mobility in elderly populations, with potential implications for pharmacologic supplements.

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.

Human impacts on carnivore foraging and trophic niches

A study examining the impact of human activity on carnivore niches found that more than a quarter of average carnivore diets consist of human food. Human disturbance leads to significant dietary changes, increasing trophic niche overlap and conflict among species.

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.

Scientists develop new precise therapeutic leukemia vaccine

Researchers have developed a new type of precise therapeutic vaccine against leukemia utilizing self-healing polylactic acid microcapsules. The vaccine co-encapsulates a new epitope peptide and PD-1 antibody, demonstrating superior performance over commercialized adjuvants in various models.

Machine-learning technique from Sandia Labs could improve fusion energy outputs

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a machine-learning technique to improve the control of nuclear fusion reactions, which could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly energy production. By modifying reactor walls using computer-generated data, they aim to reduce damage from plasma interactions and i...

Getting the full scope

Researchers aim to understand how electrical stimulation affects glia and vasculature in the brain, with potential implications for treating neurological diseases. They'll use two-photon microscopy and optogenetics to investigate inner workings of the brain.

The distance local energy goes to bring power to the people

A study by the University of California, Davis, compares three types of energy providers in California, finding that community choice aggregations (CCAs) purchased more renewable energy but went farther to source it. The study highlights the need for energy providers to prioritize local and renewable sources.

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.

Literal rise of the internet enables new climate science

Researchers aim to improve weather and climate prediction by modeling atmospheric gravity waves using Loon LLC's internet-connected balloon data. The project will help scientists better understand the impact of these wave phenomena on jet streams, polar vortex, and extreme weather.

Which is more creative, the arts or the sciences?

Research shows that creativity in science and arts are similar, indicating the need for holistic teaching approaches to foster creative capabilities. This study provides valuable insight into assessing and developing students' creative skills.

Improved insecticide for malaria control

A study developed a new crystal structure of deltamethrin that kills mosquitoes 12 times faster than the original form. This could lead to more effective malaria control even in areas with high insecticide resistance.

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.

Fuels, not fire weather, control carbon emissions in boreal forest

A large retrospective study suggests that the amount of carbon stored in soils is the biggest predictor of how much carbon will combust during a fire. The study found that soil moisture was also significant in predicting carbon release, and that vegetation patterns were complex and interacted with each other to predict combustion amounts.

Clinical study aims to better understand COVID-19 immunity

The COVID PROFILE study aims to investigate the immune response to COVID-19, understanding how long protection lasts and predicting reinfection. Researchers will follow participants for 12 months with regular blood samples and nose and throat swabs.

Liquid metals come to the rescue of semiconductors

Scientists at UNSW have created a method to produce high-quality two-dimensional MoS2 semiconductors without grain boundaries. By using gallium metal in its liquid state, researchers were able to form the desired MoS2 material on an atomically smooth surface, paving the way for ultra-low energy electronics with fast switching speeds.

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.

VAV1 gene mutations trigger T-cell tumors in mice

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered how VAV1 gene mutations can promote the development of T-cell tumors in laboratory mice. The study found that mice with both VAV1 mutations and lack of p53 developed mature tumors resembling human peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

New research on SARS-CoV-2 virus 'survivability'

New research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces for up to 28 days, with longer survival times found on smooth surfaces like glass and stainless steel. The study suggests establishing surface survivability is critical for developing risk mitigation strategies in high contact areas.

In the eye of a stellar cyclone

Apep, the newest star to join an elite club of elegant binary pairs, has been found to break all rules. Its dust spiral is expanding four times slower than the measured stellar winds, a phenomenon unheard of in other systems. This discovery makes Apep a strong contender for producing a gamma-ray burst when it does finally explode.

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.

Osteoarthritis biomarker could help 300 million people worldwide

Researchers at UniSA have identified a new biomarker for osteoarthritis using mass spectrometry imaging, which may improve early diagnosis and treatment. The study found specific sugars associated with damaged tissue compared to healthy tissue, potentially helping slow the progression of the disease.

Sapphires show their true colors: Not water-loving

Researchers found that sapphire crystal faces exhibit contact angles far greater than 10°, with the (1-102) face being hydrophobic. This discovery provides insights into intrinsic wettability and its potential applications in materials science and technology.

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.

NASA finds hurricane delta packing heavy rainfall

Hurricane Delta is expected to produce significant flash, urban, and small stream flooding in Louisiana, with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches. NASA's satellite rainfall product estimated rainfall rates around the center of circulation as high as 50 mm per hour.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Four in 10 extra deaths in Lombardy not linked to COVID-19

A new study found that about 24,000 more people died in Lombardy than expected between January and April, with only 14,000 confirmed as COVID-19-related. The researchers estimated that up to 43% of excess deaths may be due to delayed or reduced access to healthcare for other health issues.

Meltwater lakes are accelerating glacier ice loss

A new study reveals that meltwater lakes at glacier margins cause ice to recede much further and faster than glaciers terminating on land. This finding has significant implications for estimates of recession rates and ice mass loss, potentially leading to under-estimates in the coming decades.

Immune cell activation in severe COVID-19 resembles lupus

Researchers observed an overactive B cell response in severely ill COVID-19 patients, reminiscent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which may inform treatment decisions. The findings could lead to the development of targeted therapies for patients with severe immune dysregulation.

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.

Nerve cell activity shows how confident we are

Researchers identified nerve cells in the brain whose activity indicates decision-making confidence. The frequency of electrical pulses in these neurons increased with increasing decision confidence.

Metoprolol: an old drug with unique cardioprotective properties

A study by CNIC scientists reveals metoprolol's ability to protect the heart during a heart attack is not shared by other beta-blockers. This unique property limits inflammatory damage and hyperactivation of neutrophils, which can cause significant additional injury to the heart.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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