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Science News Archive October 2020 - Page 28


Page 28 of 47
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.

Stay in touch with your emotions to reduce pandemic-induced stress

A new study led by Emily Kroska found that people who acknowledge and address their emotions during stressful times report lower stress levels than those who avoid identifying with their emotions. By maintaining relationships and engaging in valued activities, individuals can increase their psychological flexibility and reduce distress.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Contextual Behavioral Science·DateOct 14, 2020

Army researchers collaborate on universal antibody test for COVID-19

Researchers developed a process to measure COVID-19 antibody levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which is faster, easier and less expensive than traditional methods. The ELISA tests had an 80% or greater probability of predicting virus neutralization titers.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 14, 2020

Study upends understanding about joint injuries

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lubricin, a protein that lubricates joints, increases in dogs with ACL injuries before signs of arthritis appear. The discovery has implications for human ACL and other orthopedic injuries, suggesting increased lubricin may be a biomarker for predicting future osteoarthritis.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

Mapping out rest stops for migrating birds

A new metric, stopover-to-passage ratio, helps determine when birds fly over a site or stop to refuel or rest. The study reveals critical importance of habitats around the US Gulf Coast for sustaining migratory birds, with over half stopping at these sites.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 14, 2020

Join GSA online for the nation's premier aging conference

The Gerontological Society of America invites media representatives to attend its 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting Online. The event will feature hundreds of scientific sessions and live discussions with researchers. Registration is free and provides access to all scientific sessions and the virtual exhibit hall.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateOct 14, 2020

Ultra-sensitive nanothermometer under ambient conditions

Researchers have developed an ultra-sensitive hybrid nanothermometer that can detect small temperature changes in ambient conditions. The device uses a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond and a magnetic nanoparticle to measure thermal signals with a precision of 76 microkelvin per second.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 14, 2020

Turning excess noise into signal

Scientists have developed a simple method to comprehensively assess spectrometer performance within seconds using only incoherent excess noise. This approach enables high-quality visible light OCT imaging with improved spectral resolution uniformity, revealing new insights into the mouse photoreceptor layer.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

'Honey bee, it's me'

Honey bees rely on chemical cues from shared gut microbial communities to recognize nestmates, rather than genetic relatedness. This study shows that a bee's particular cuticular hydrocarbon profile is dependent on its microbiome.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 14, 2020

Distracted learning a big problem, golden opportunity for educators, students

Research shows that distracted learning significantly impairs students' attention, working memory, and learning outcomes. Educators can empower students to manage distractions by fostering an internal locus of control and promoting active learning. Strategies include removing extraneous devices, using work-reward systems, and incorpora...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Food Science Education·DateOct 14, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Novel software assesses phonologial awareness

A new software tool called ATLAS measures children's phonological awareness, a critical skill for literacy development. The study found that the software was effective in assessing over 1,100 children aged 3-7 with varying levels of speech and language impairment.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 14, 2020

When Fock meets Landau: Topology in atom-photon interactions

Topological photonics explores discrete states of light, similar to Fock states of electrons. The connection between the Maxwell and Schrodinger equations reveals new topological phases, including a Haldane model for valley Hall effect.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 14, 2020

Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to cognitive deficits, altered behavior

A new study by neuroscientists at Washington State University found that regular cannabis exposure in rats during pregnancy may cause long-term cognitive deficiencies, asocial behavior, and anxiety in their offspring. The research also revealed significant behavioral changes and cognitive deficits that persisted into adulthood.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNeuropharmacology·DateOct 14, 2020

Companies bet big on chemical plastic recycling

Industry is shifting towards chemical recycling as a solution to tackle the problem of plastics, breaking down them into their building blocks. The process has environmental benefits but also raises concerns about reducing plastic consumption and increasing disposable packaging production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateOct 14, 2020

An innovative method to tune lasers toward infrared wavelengths

A team of researchers at INRS has discovered a method to tune the spectrum of a laser to the infrared using a simple and much less expensive system: a hollow-core fiber filled with nitrogen. This approach delivers optical pulses shorter than those of the input laser and with high spatial quality.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalOptica·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

From puppyhood to senior age: Different personality traits age differently

Researchers found that dog personality has a 'stable' component, but individual dogs change at different rates, and some exhibit age-related impairments. Longitudinal studies showed that specific traits, like Problem orientation and Novelty seeking, change significantly during early life.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 14, 2020

Reviving cells after a heart attack

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from endothelial cells have been shown to revive heart cells after a heart attack and keep them functioning while deprived of oxygen. The researchers demonstrated this functionality in human tissue using a heart-on-a-chip model.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 14, 2020

Researchers mine data and connect the dots about processes driving neuroblastoma

A comprehensive genomic analysis of neuroblastoma has revealed possible approaches for developing precision medicines to improve patient outcomes. The study found associations among common mutational traits that could be exploited therapeutically, including an association between a chromosomal mutation and oxidative stress.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2020

Research demonstrates a molecular dance that keeps your heart beating

A team of researchers has discovered the atomic-level mechanism that governs the length of heart muscle protein filaments, a critical component in maintaining healthy heart function. The study provides new insights into genetic mutations that cause devastating hereditary heart conditions.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 14, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Robot swarms follow instructions to create art

A recent study shows that robot swarms can follow instructions to create paintings, using a system where an artist selects areas of the canvas to be painted a certain color. The resulting images are abstract and pleasing to the eye, with unique areas of color flowing into each other.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateOct 14, 2020

Volcanic eruptions may explain Denmark's giant mystery crystals

Researchers discovered that volcanic eruptions in Greenland and Iceland could have caused cooling episodes during the Eocene Epoch, solving a long-standing mystery about glendonites. This finding suggests that abrupt climate change is possible even in otherwise warmer climates.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2020

Ancient maths could foil future cyber hackers

A University of Reading mathematician is collaborating with Microsoft to study ancient mathematical problems, including Diophantine equations, to aid in the development of encryption software. The project aims to create more secure data protection against quantum computers that can solve complex mathematical problems quickly.

SourceUniversity of Reading·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

Maltreatment tied to higher inflammation in girls

Research shows that childhood maltreatment affects girls more than boys, leading to higher levels of low-grade inflammation. Girls who experienced abuse at a young age are at risk for significant health problems later in life.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalDevelopmental Psychobiology·DateOct 14, 2020

Cultural diversity and racism in the Ancient World

A new display at Swansea University's Egypt Centre will showcase artefacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other ancient civilizations to educate visitors about issues like identity, racism, and xenophobia. The exhibit aims to spark meaningful discussions on these topics, drawing from the rich material available in the ancient world.

SourceSwansea University·DateOct 14, 2020

A billion tiny pendulums could detect the universe's missing mass

Researchers at NIST have proposed a novel method to find dark matter by detecting its gravitational interaction with visible matter. A billion millimeter-sized pendulums would act as sensors, sensitive to particles ranging from 1/5,000 of a milligram to a few milligrams, covering the so-called Planck mass.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review D·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

A new toolkit for capturing how COVID-19 impacts crime

A new set of assessment tools shows promise in capturing how the COVID-19 pandemic affects patterns of criminal activity. The toolkit uses resilience theory to examine the impact of exceptional events on crime patterns, with preliminary evidence linking the pandemic to increased domestic violence and declines in other forms of crime.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 2020

A new land surface model to monitor global river water environment

A new land surface model CAS-LSM was developed to assess impacts of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances on global river temperature and nitrogen transport. The model found increased river temperatures in tropical zones due to climate change, with power plants warming local rivers by up to 60% in Asia.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·DateOct 14, 2020

Scientists identify sensor protein that underlies bladder control

Researchers at Scripps Research have identified the PIEZO2 protein as a crucial part of how our body detects bladder fullness. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism underlying normal bladder function and may lead to new treatments for bladder control and urination issues, particularly among the elderly.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Obesity implies risk of COVID-19 regardless of age, sex, ethnicity and health condition

A systematic review of nine clinical studies involving 6,577 patients with COVID-19 found that obesity significantly increases the risk of severe illness and death. The study also highlights the importance of addressing obesity through public health policies to prevent COVID-19-related complications.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalObesity Research & Clinical Practice·DateOct 14, 2020

SHEA updates guidance for healthcare workers with HIV, hepatitis

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has updated its guidance for healthcare personnel living with HIV or hepatitis, citing low transmission rates and advances in treatments. The new recommendations aim to protect both patients and healthcare workers while ensuring privacy and health.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

STAT3 identified as important factor in emotional reactivity

Researchers have identified STAT3 as an important factor in emotional reactivity, establishing a link between the immune system, serotonergic transmission, and affective disorders. STAT3 deficiency reduces emotional reactivity in mice, suggesting its role as a molecular mediator in regulating emotional behavior.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

What laser color do you like?

Scientists at NIST and the University of Maryland have developed a microchip technology that can generate a wide range of visible laser colors using near-infrared laser light. This approach enables precise control over wavelength, opening up new possibilities for applications in precision timekeeping and quantum information science.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptica·DateOct 14, 2020

Whitebark pine declines may unravel the tree's mutualism with Clark's Nutcracker

A study suggests that whitebark pine's reliance on Clark's Nutcracker for seed dispersal and germination makes the partnership vulnerable to population declines. The researchers found a dramatic decline in Clark's Nutcracker within Mount Rainier National Park, where healthy whitebark pine populations have also declined.

SourceThe Institute for Bird Populations·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 2020
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.

New deep learning models: Fewer neurons, more intelligence

Researchers developed new AI models inspired by nature, reducing complexity and enhancing interpretability. These models can control vehicles with just a few artificial neurons, outperforming previous deep learning models in tasks such as autonomous lane keeping.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateOct 14, 2020

Protein that keeps immune system from freaking out could form basis for new therapeutics

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine discovered a molecule called Girdin (GIV) that acts as a brake on macrophages. The GIV-mimic peptide can shut down immune cells' overreaction, supporting a mechanism critical for survival in mouse models of sepsis and colitis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2020

Restoring 30% of the world's ecosystems in priority areas could stave off more than 70% of projected extinctions and absorb nearly half of the carbon built up in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution

A new report identifies priority areas for ecosystem restoration, which could rescue land-based species and soak up vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Protecting these areas and restoring natural ecosystems can deliver significant biodiversity and climate benefits at a relatively low cost.

SourceBurness·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2020

New scientific study shows brain injuries can be unbroken by innovative neuro-technologies

A recent scientific study led by the Centre for Neurology Studies at HealthTech Connex and Simon Fraser University reports breakthroughs in brain health recovery for Captain Trevor Greene, a Canadian veteran who survived an axe attack in Afghanistan. The study used innovative neuro-technologies, including Portable Neuromodulation Stimu...

SourceChiang Public Relations·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateOct 14, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Higher average life expectancy after obesity surgery

A University of Gothenburg study finds that individuals who undergo obesity (bariatric) surgery have a higher average life expectancy compared to those given conventional treatment for obesity. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, shows that bariatric surgery prolongs life expectancy by 3 years, but patients sti...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 14, 2020

Research demonstrates microbiome transmissibility in perennial ryegrass

Research demonstrates that a stable bacterial microbiome exists within surface-sterilized perennial ryegrass seeds, which almost disappears as the plant matures but returns in a new generation of seed. The microbiome is influenced by soil type and can be used to track the movement of bacteria from parent to seed.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·DateOct 14, 2020

Bringing people together on climate change

A study published in Science Communication found that watching high-quality, engaging media programs on climate change can reduce political polarization among Democrats and Republicans. Participants who were most engaged with the program showed greater perceptions of climate change risk and efficacy in taking action.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalScience Communication·DateOct 14, 2020