Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2020


Page 37 of 47

Survey shows broad bipartisan support for a stronger focus on science

A recent survey by Research!America reveals broad bipartisan support for a stronger focus on science, with 88% of Americans believing science benefits them. The survey also shows that Americans are willing to pay more taxes to support scientific research and that basic scientific research should be supported by the federal government.

Climate projection research may help to battle 'snail fever' worldwide

Researchers are using climate projection studies to understand the impact of changing temperatures and precipitation on snail populations, which carry the parasite causing schistosomiasis. The study aims to inform strategies for reducing the spread of this debilitating infection, affecting 220 million people globally.

Quality control mechanism closes the protein production 'on-ramps'

A newly discovered quality control system in protein production prevents the translation of faulty messenger RNA fragments, thereby preventing the formation of toxic incomplete protein products. The discovery has implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and may shed light on the underlying causes of such conditions.

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.

IU researchers in nationwide network to study rare form of diabetes

Researchers are collecting detailed health information from people with atypical forms of diabetes to understand their causes and differences from common types. The study aims to provide critical insight into the emerging spectrum of diabetes, potentially leading to new targets for prevention and treatment.

Poor families must move often, but rarely escape concentrated poverty

Research shows that low-income families are forced to choose safest locations for immediate survival rather than taking time to find neighborhoods with great schools and job opportunities. Policymakers must reconsider assumptions about how families decide where to live and send their children to school.

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.

Athletes using sport supplements are more open to doping -- study

A new study reveals that athletes using legal sport supplements are more likely to dope than those using food and superfoods. Researchers surveyed 573 athletes and found a significant correlation between the use of ergogenic and medical supplements and doping attitudes.

Higher suicide risk among older immigrants with untreated depression

An elderly population study from Sweden found a higher risk of suicide among women born outside the Nordic region with untreated depression. The study also highlighted gender differences in factors related to suicide, including the protective effect of marriage in men and social isolation in both genders.

Nanoscale machines convert light into work

Researchers developed tiny optically powered machines that self-assemble and can manipulate tiny cargo for applications like nanofluidics and particle sorting. The machines use circularly polarized light from a laser to create a nanoparticle array acting like a gear, influencing nearby particles to orbit the array.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Moles: Intersexual and genetically doped

Researchers discovered two genetic mutations in moles that lead to the development of ovarian and testicular tissues, resulting in high levels of testosterone and aggression. The study sheds light on how DNA changes contribute to evolution and the formation of unique sexual features in mammals.

Double jeopardy for ecologically rare birds and terrestrial mammals

A recent study shows that rare terrestrial mammals and birds are more threatened by human activities than common species, with many facing extinction within 40 years due to climate change. Conservation efforts must account for the ecological rarity of these species to ensure their survival.

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.

NASA analyzes Hurricane Delta's water vapor concentration

NASA's Aqua satellite gathered water vapor data on Hurricane Delta, revealing highest concentrations of water vapor and coldest cloud top temperatures around the center of circulation. The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the northern Yucatan Peninsula.

Same-gender couples interact better than heterosexual couples

A new UC Riverside study found that same-gender couples have higher-quality interactions both inside and outside their relationships compared to heterosexual couples. The study also showed that women in male-dominated relationships tend to have the largest social networks, while men with men have smaller ones.

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.

Fighting intestinal infections with the body's own endocannabinoids

Research led by UTSW scientists finds that endocannabinoids can shut down genes needed for pathogenic intestinal bacteria to colonize and cause disease. The study suggests that these native chemicals similar to those found in cannabis may eventually lead to new ways to fight gastrointestinal infections.

Sicker livestock may increase climate woes

A new study finds that infectious diseases in livestock can lead to increased methane emissions, exacerbating climate change. Ruminant animals infected with intestinal worms or suffering from mastitis release up to 33% and 8% more methane per kilogram of feed or milk produced.

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.

MU earns $5.45 million to advance literacy efforts throughout Missouri

The University of Missouri is receiving $5.45 million to improve literacy in Missouri schools through the Show Me Literacies Collaborative. The grant will support early childhood educators in extending family literacy practices into the classroom, with a focus on inclusive and multilingual literacies.

COVID-19 has a prolonged effect for many during pregnancy

A national study found that COVID-19 symptoms in pregnant women can last two months or longer, impacting health and wellbeing. Researchers analyzed 594 women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy, discovering that half had symptoms after 3 weeks and 25 percent had symptoms persisting beyond 8 weeks.

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.

COVID-19- to COVID-20

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted from a single disease entity to a 'syndemic', with concurrent co-morbidities and social determinants of health contributing to collateral morbidities.

A step toward a universal flu vaccine

A new study describes a vaccine that triggers an immune response against an influenza protein segment rarely mutated by the virus, raising the possibility of effective protection against seasonal and pandemic strains. The vaccine uses nanoparticles coated with flu proteins to train the immune system to create desired antibodies.

Unusually shallow earthquake ruptures in Chinese fracking field

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake triggered by hydraulic fracturing in a Chinese shale gas field occurred along a fault about one kilometer deep. The event challenges current understanding of seismic risk for shallow faults, highlighting the need to reassess evaluation strategies.

Risk of deadly skin cancer may be gauged by accumulated DNA damage

A new study has discovered that accumulated DNA damage in skin cells can be used to estimate the risk of deadly skin cancer. Researchers sequenced DNA from individual melanocytes and found a significant number of mutations associated with melanoma, even in people without visible moles.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Molecular mechanism of cross-species transmission of primate lentiviruses

Primate lentiviruses, such as HIV-1, overcome species barriers through viral infectivity factor (Vif) and APOBEC3 protein interactions. A study by the University of Tokyo found that gorilla APOBEC3G can restrict SIVcpz replication but a specific amino acid substitution in Vif can evade this restriction.

Experience and instinct: Both count when recognizing infant cries

A new study published in Nature shows that rodents rely on a combination of innate instincts and learning to recognize unique infant cries. Experienced caregivers were found to be more effective at identifying subtle variations in distress calls and retrieving crying pups, while inexperienced animals required extensive training.

Amniotic fluid may yield new, better treatment for ischemic stroke

A study in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine suggests that amniotic fluid stem cell-derived secretome can restore neuronal plasticity and improve cognition after an ischemic stroke. The findings offer a potential new avenue of treatment for ischemic stroke, which affects 87% of all strokes.

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.

Prevalence of suicide-related behaviors among physicians

A review of 35 studies found a lifetime prevalence of 17.4% for suicidal thoughts and 1.8% for attempts among physicians. Geographic region was linked to variations in suicidal behavior rates, with Europe showing higher prevalence than the US.

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.

Global food production poses an increasing climate threat

The study found that nitrous oxide has risen 20% from pre-industrial levels, with the largest contributors coming from East Asia, South Asia, Africa, and South America. This increase is incompatible with pathways to achieve the Paris Agreement's climate goals.

Why some friends make you feel more supported than others

A study found that participants rated themselves as receiving more support from a network of friends who were closely connected to each other. This cohesive group provided emotional support and a sense of belonging. The results suggest that having a strong social network is crucial for feeling supported, rather than just the number of ...

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.

Taking the STING out of MND

Melbourne researchers have identified the primary immune pathway triggered by TDP-43 accumulation in MND patients, paving the way for a new treatment. By blocking the STING immune sensor, they can prevent inflammation and promote motor neuron survival, offering a vital first step towards a treatment therapy.

Sea-level rise projections can improve with state-of-the-art model

A Rutgers-led team created a model that enables improved sea-level rise projections and could help address climate change threats. The 'emulator' uses artificial intelligence to mimic ice-sheet behavior, providing valuable insights into ice sheet vulnerability through 2150.

Paleontologists identify new species of mosasaur

A team of researchers led by Catie Strong identified a new mosasaur species, Gavialimimus almaghribensis, with a distinctive long, narrow snout and interlocking teeth. The discovery sheds light on the adaptations that allowed these ancient marine reptiles to thrive in competitive ecosystems.

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.

Physical activity and sleep in adults with arthritis

A new study identifies four profiles of 24-hour physical activity and sleep among adults with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and knee osteoarthritis. Younger age, lack of sitting jobs, and outside walking habits are associated with balanced activity.

New findings pave the way to environmentally friendly supercapacitors

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have developed a sustainable hybrid supercapacitor made of carbon and aqueous sodium iodide electrolyte. The system achieves unexpectedly high energy storage capacity by storing all chemical energy in solid iodine particles, enabling fast charging and discharging processes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Intelligent nanomaterials for photonics

Scientists at the University of Jena have developed a novel material platform by integrating 2D materials with glass fibers, enabling novel applications in sensors and non-linear optics. The breakthrough allows for the direct growth of 2D materials on optical fibers, overcoming laborious transfer processes.

Individual psychological well-being may guard heart health in Black adults

A study found that psychosocial resilience is positively associated with cardiovascular health among Black adults, independent of neighborhood context. Higher psychosocial resilience scores were linked to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, even in neighborhoods with high rates of heart disease and stroke.

Plant-based spray could be used in n95 masks and energy devices

Researchers have developed a method to spray extremely thin wires made from a plant-based material, methylcellulose, onto 3D objects. This innovation could improve the effectiveness of N95 mask filters and be used in energy harvesting devices, with potential applications in organ creation.