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Science News Archive October 2020


Page 42 of 47

How long does the preschool advantage last?

Children who attend preschool enter kindergarten with greater skills than those who don't, but this advantage is short-lived. While pre-K graduates show initial gains in academic skills, their peers quickly close the gap, suggesting that preschool's long-term benefits may be limited.

Method used to track Ebola's trajectory being applied to COVID-19

A new study is analyzing how SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in Asia before slowing down, with insights potentially informing secondary outbreak predictions and intervention strategies. By studying travel restrictions and quarantines, researchers are identifying factors that facilitated transmission and slowed it down.

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.

Body size of the extinct Megalodon indeed off the charts in the shark world

A new study finds that Megalodon's estimated body length of up to 15 meters exceeds the general size limit for non-planktivorous sharks, which typically reach 7 meters. The research proposes live-bearing reproductive strategy and cannibalistic egg-eating behavior as possible causes for gigantism in lamniform sharks.

Snakes reveal the origin of skin colours

A UNIGE team discovers that a single gene mutation affects every skin color in corn snakes, storing both pigments and crystals in lysosome-related vesicles. This study marks a significant step forward in understanding the origin of colors and patterns in vertebrates.

Seeking ancient rainforests through modern mammal diets

Researchers analyzed dietary signatures of African and South American mammals to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. They found a similar mean dietary carbon isotopic value between Amazonian and African closed-canopy rainforests, but lacked highly negative values used to infer rainforests in fossil records.

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.

A search for new species on the high seas

Researchers analyzed ocean water samples from around the world using gene similarity networks, revealing over 2,000 unique sequences that are likely to represent unknown/uncharacterized unicellular Holozoans. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of multicellularity and the origin of animals.

Human impact on Bahamian bird species

A fossil analysis reveals that 69% of Bahamian land bird species have changed their distributions in response to human activities and climate shifts. The study found that bird populations are at risk due to factors such as increasing hurricane severity, rising sea levels, and habitat loss.

Holidays bring severe spike in nut allergies for children

A new study found that Halloween and Easter holidays are associated with a significant spike in peanut and tree-nut allergies among children. The study suggests that increased awareness and education can help reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Fly larvae extract will replace antibiotics in fighting plant pathogens

Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a method to extract active compounds from black soldier fly larvae, which possess unique antimicrobial properties. The extract, called AWME, has been shown to be more effective than antibiotics in combating phytopathogenic bacteria.

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.

210Pb dating of marine sedimentary cores

The exercise showed that participating laboratories are skilled in radiometric determinations, but struggled with dating results due to varying experience. The application of the 210Pb sediment dating method requires expert knowledge and multidisciplinary expertise.

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.

Examining primary health care for patients with mental illness

A uOttawa-led research project aims to examine how primary care providers can offer better healthcare for people living with serious mental illness. The study will analyze the primary health care experience of this population group and identify ways to improve the system.

NASA imagery reveals Tropical Storm Chan-hom's skewed structure

Tropical Storm Chan-hom's visible image revealed an exposed low-level circulation center, while bands of thunderstorms wrapped into the partially exposed center. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next three days, potentially developing a more circular shape.

Cyanobacteria as "green" catalysts in biotechnology

Researchers at TU Graz have successfully increased the catalytic performance of cyanobacteria by redirecting photosynthetic electron flow to desired reactions. This method reduces energy consumption and enhances biotechnological production, paving the way for large-scale industrial applications.

Vigorous exercise, spongy heart

Researchers at CNIC used cardiac magnetic resonance technology to measure exercise-related hypertrabeculation in a general population. A third of participants with high vigorous physical activity met the diagnostic criteria for noncompaction cardiomyopathy, despite being healthy.

Diagnosing COVID-19 in just 30 minutes

A team of researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a SENSR technology that enables fast and accurate COVID-19 diagnosis using RNA sequence detection. This technology can diagnose infections in just 30 minutes, allowing for faster treatment and reducing stress on healthcare systems.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How Hispanic and Asian populations influence US food culture

Researchers found that Asian and Hispanic populations contribute to local food culture, with restaurant availability linked to education levels of the white majority population. The study tested three models of assimilation and primarily found evidence for relational assimilation.

Syracuse U. professor receives NSF grant for Internet of Things research

Syracuse University assistant professor Fanxin Kong has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop a cross-layer framework for mission-critical IoT systems. The project aims to improve scalability, security, and intelligence in IoT infrastructures for various industries such as medical, energy, transportation, an...

Dietary isotopes in Amazonian and African rainforests

Researchers analyzed isotopic data from Amazonian and African mammals to understand feeding habits and ecosystems. The study found no significant difference in dietary carbon isotope signatures between the two regions, but noted Amazonian mammals had more limited dietary resources.

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.

Tracking sea turtle egg traffickers with GPS-enabled decoy eggs

A study using GPS-enabled decoy sea turtle eggs gathered evidence of the illegal trade and tracked eggs from beaches to restaurants and bars in Central America. The findings suggest that most stolen eggs remain in local areas, making it crucial to target conservation efforts towards local communities.

Advancing multiprincipal alloys

Researchers have developed a way to predict the properties of multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), which exhibit unique combinations of strength, ductility, and damage tolerance. The team used electron microscopy and atomistic simulations to unveil the mechanistic origins of desirable properties in MPEAs.

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.

Muslim young adult mental health before, after presidential election

A recent study found that the 2016 US presidential election led to an increase in anxiety and depression among Muslim college students. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 students and discovered a significant association between the election outcome and mental health outcomes.

New study reveals one way police officers can reduce shooting errors

Researchers found that officers can cut their chance of making misdiagnosis shooting errors by more than half when using a low ready position. The study, published in Police Quarterly, suggests that this simple adjustment could lead to fewer perception shootings and improved safety.

How narcissistic leaders infect their organizations' cultures

A new paper by Berkeley Haas Prof. Jennifer Chatman and colleagues shows narcissistic leaders 'infect' their organizations' cultures, leading to decreased collaboration and integrity. The researchers reveal how narcissists create lasting damage on employee morale and performance.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Lego-like assembly of zeolitic membranes improves carbon capture

A team of chemical engineers developed a simplified chemistry for zeolite membrane synthesis, eliminating lengthy crystallization and producing high-temperature hydrogen-carbon dioxide separation membranes. The scalable synthesis is expected to improve pre-combustion carbon capture energy-efficiency.

Dozens of mammals could be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2

Researchers found 26 mammals that could be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to variations in the ACE2 protein. These include domestic cats, dogs, mink, and great apes, which could potentially act as reservoirs for the virus.

Deep learning gives drug design a boost

A new computational tool, Metabolite Translator, uses deep learning to predict metabolites in the human body, providing a broader understanding of how drugs interact with enzymes. The method has been shown to perform as well as existing rule-based methods and identified novel enzymes involved in drug metabolism.

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.

On the trail of causes of radiation events during space flight

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the sources of relativistic Electron Precipitation (REP) events, which may pose challenges to human spaceflight. The study reveals that at least three separate processes contribute to REP events: EMIC waves, Whistler mode chorus waves, and electrostatic whistler waves.

Tohoku University teaches old spectroscopy new tricks

Researchers developed a new spectroscopy method, 'omnidirectional photoluminescence (ODPL) spectroscopy,' to test materials for electric cars and solar cells. The technique can detect defects and impurities at low temperatures.

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.

Telemedicine saves chronic pain patients time and money

A study by the American Society of Anesthesiologists found that patients who used telemedicine for chronic pain management saved an average of 69 minutes per visit and $22 on gas and parking costs. This reduced travel time and expenses, leading to improved patient satisfaction.

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.

Scientist maps CO2 emissions for entire US to improve environmental policymaking

A new map provides detailed greenhouse gas emissions data across the US, enabling policymakers to identify problem areas and develop targeted policies. The Vulcan Project, developed by Northern Arizona University, offers a standardized system for quantifying and visualizing emissions down to individual power plants and neighborhoods.

Arrokoth: Flattening of a snowman

Researchers investigate how Arrokoth's pancake-flat shape emerged from the formation process of the Solar System. They suggest that the body may have started as a merger between a spherical and an oblate body, or that its shape developed gradually due to favorable orbital conditions.

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.

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.

Dog and human brains process faces differently

A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience has revealed striking similarities and differences in how dog and human brains process visual information about others. Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns between twenty dogs and thirty humans, finding both analogous and divergent patterns of species- and fac...

New shortcut enables faster creation of spin pattern in magnet

Researchers have discovered a new approach to create a spin pattern in a magnet, enabling faster creation of skyrmions. This discovery offers an additional method for more efficient magnetic data storage, with potential applications in cloud data centers.

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.