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Science News Archive October 2020 - Page 40


Page 40 of 47

Consuming sugary beverages while breastfeeding affects cognitive development in children

A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming sugary beverages during breastfeeding can lead to poorer cognitive development in children nearly two years later. Moms who reported greater consumption of these beverages had children with lower cognitive development scores.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 6, 2020

Revising climate models with new aerosol field data

Aerosol particles play a significant role in heat absorption and deflection by the atmosphere. Researchers have now detected the rate at which these tiny particles leave the atmosphere, revealing a much narrower range of lifetimes than previously suggested. This new understanding can improve climate models and air quality forecasting.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

$7.1M grant to review opioid alternatives to treating sickle cell disease pain

A five-year study led by University of Illinois Chicago researchers will assess the effectiveness of acupuncture and guided meditation in managing sickle cell disease pain, aiming to reduce opioid use. The study, funded at $7.1M, will explore non-pharmacological pain management interventions for approximately 360 patients.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

CRISPRing trees for a climate-friendly economy

Scientists have discovered a way to reduce lignin in poplar trees using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, leading to increased wood processing efficiency and a potential solution for a carbon-neutral bio-based economy. The research found that engineered trees showed no negative impact on growth or biomass yield.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2020

Emerging field of integrative palliative care highlighted in journal special issue

A special issue on Integrative Palliative Care was published in JACM, featuring research from 11 countries on this new model of care. The issue highlights the potential value of greater mutual respect and exploratory collaborations between palliative medicine and integrative health communities.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateOct 6, 2020

Expanded newborn screening could save premature infants' lives

A novel screening method could lead to earlier detection of life-threatening complications in babies born preterm and help reduce racial disparities in outcomes. The study identified a combination of six newborn characteristics and 19 metabolites that reliably predict preterm babies at increased risk for death and severe illness.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateOct 6, 2020

UM researchers help study largest estimated Greenland ice loss

A multiorganizational collaboration of climate modelers, ice core scientists, and paleoclimate researchers contributed to a study forecasting significant ice loss in Greenland. The team used ice sheet modeling to reconstruct the ancient climate and projected the ice sheet's future into 2100.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalNature·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

Study finds odor-sensing neuron regeneration process is adaptive

Researchers found that reduced odor stimulation reduces newly-generated neurons with specific receptors, suggesting a selective alteration in neurogenesis. This discovery challenges the random subtype identity model and suggests a potential adaptive function for lifelong olfactory sensory neurogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 6, 2020

Astronomers turn up the heavy metal to shed light on star formation

Researchers reconstruct when most stars formed in the Universe, agreeing with telescope observations for the first time. They use a new algorithm to model energy and wavelengths of light coming from 7000 nearby galaxies.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 6, 2020

Multi-institutional team extracts more energy from sunlight with advanced solar panels

A new study shows that layering advanced materials atop traditional silicon can produce multilayered solar panels with improved efficiency. The researchers used a precisely controlled fabrication process to create the new panels, which have the potential to convert more sunlight into usable electricity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateOct 6, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Igniting the synthetic transport of amino acids in living cells

Researchers from ICIQ and IRBBarcelona have developed a synthetic carrier that can transport amino acids, such as Proline, across cell membranes. The study shows a 30-fold increase in L-Proline transport activity, opening up new possibilities for treating diseases related to amino acid metabolism.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalChem·DateOct 6, 2020

The first human settlers on islands caused extinctions

A study of fossil records reveals that human arrival in the Bahamas caused devastating effects on birds, with some species losing their habitats and going extinct. The researchers found that many bird species, such as parrots and hawks, were still present in the islands until around 1,000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 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.

Indonesia's old and deep peatlands offer an archive of environmental changes

Researchers have identified a 47,800-year-old inland peatland in Indonesia that contains an archive of environmental changes and a large carbon stock. The study provides new insights into the climate of equatorial rainforests during the last ice age, suggesting that these areas remained wet and warm enough to support peat growth.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 6, 2020

How mobile apps grab our attention

Researchers at Aalto University conducted the first empirical study on mobile app design, finding that larger and brighter elements don't catch users' eyes. Instead, text elements and specific locations like the top-left corner tend to draw attention.

SourceAalto University·DateOct 6, 2020

Evolution in action: New Plant species in the Swiss Alps

A new plant species, Cardamine insueta, has emerged in the Urnerboden region of the Swiss Alps, 150 years after land conversion from forest to grassland. The species inherited traits from its parent plants, allowing it to grow in a distinct environmental niche.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·DateOct 6, 2020

Liquid gel in COVID patients' lungs makes way for new treatment

Researchers at Umea University have found that a substance called hyaluronan is responsible for the jelly-like substance in COVID-19 patients' lungs. The discovery could lead to new effective therapies, including treatments using cortisone and Hymecromone.

SourceUmea University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

New techniques probe vital and elusive proteins

Researchers develop new approach to acquire structural data of membrane proteins, including GPCRs, using LCP crystallization and MicroED. This method enables the determination of detailed structures of previously inaccessible proteins.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·DateOct 6, 2020

US Insulin prices 8 times higher than in other nations

A new study by the RAND Corporation found that US insulin prices are significantly higher than those in other high-income countries, even when accounting for rebates and discounts. The average price per unit across all types of insulin in the US is $98.70, compared to a fraction of this cost in other nations.

SourceRAND Corporation·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

There's a reason bacteria stay in shape

Bacteria remain roughly the same size and shape due to a theoretical model that links random processes of growth and division, canceling each other out. This discovery may provide new insights into disease mechanisms, including cancer proliferation.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateOct 6, 2020

WHOI receives NOAA awards to study, predict harmful algal blooms

Researchers at WHOI will contribute to improving the nation's collective response to harmful algal blooms (HABs) through $2.5 million in funding over the coming year. The projects aim to enhance monitoring and determine socioeconomic impacts of blooms nationwide, with a focus on protecting human health, ecosystems, and local economies.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateOct 6, 2020

Evolution of the Y chromosome in great apes deciphered

Researchers reconstructed the ancestral great ape Y chromosome, showing rapid evolution in bonobo and chimpanzee. The study found accelerated rates of DNA sequence change and gene loss, suggesting mating habits may have driven this evolution.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 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.

Fighting pandemics with plasma

Researchers use plasma to kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses on PPE, with promising results shown for N95 masks and other supplies. A low-cost approach also uses ozone generated by a plasma ball to sterilize PPE, potentially reducing thousands of tons of waste per day.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 6, 2020

Targeting our second brain to fight diabetes

Researchers at Université catholique de Louvain have discovered a link between the brain and intestinal bacteria that plays a crucial role in regulating sugar levels in the blood. The study found that a particular lipid acts on the gut 'second brain' to restore communication and reduce diabetes risk.

SourceUniversité catholique de Louvain·JournalGut·DateOct 6, 2020

COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rare inborn immune disorders

Patients with rare inherited immune disorders had similar disease outcomes to the general population after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with some immune defects even appearing protective against severe disease. However, younger male patients with PIDs were more likely to require ICU admission and suffer severe COVID-19.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

Study offers global review of impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment and research

The study reveals that while COVID-19 complicates cancer care, it also spurs innovative solutions to clinical challenges. Researchers found that patients with cancer are at heightened risk of severe illness due to weakened immune systems, but also highlighted the benefits of telemedicine and creative approaches to treatment.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalCancer Cell·DateOct 6, 2020

Telehealth trains parents to improve behavior skills of children with autism

A Rutgers researcher developed a virtual training program to help parents of children with autism spectrum disorder improve behavioral skills. The study found that parents who received the telehealth training showed significant improvements compared to those who did not receive training.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Applied Behavior Analysis·DateOct 6, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Many Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma patients can skip radiation, collaborative study finds

Researchers found that 91% of patients with limited stage DLBCL who received no radiation were alive five years after treatment. A PET scan after three cycles of R-CHOP can determine if patients need additional chemotherapy or radiation. This approach may improve patient outcomes and reduce toxicity.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 6, 2020

Who is driving whom? Climate and carbon cycle in perpetual interaction

Scientists analyzed deep-sea sediment cores to reveal changing climate-carbon cycle interactions. They found that the carbon cycle exerted control over climate at times of volatility, not stability, and provided new insights into their complex relationships.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 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.

ACM announces new conference on AI in finance

The ACM International Conference on AI in Finance (ICAIF) will explore the effects of AI on the finance world through a dynamic program of work from top researchers. Key topics include machine learning methods for detecting money laundering and algorithms for future capital markets.

SourceAssociation for Computing Machinery·DateOct 6, 2020

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are younger, healthier than influenza patients

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely male, younger and had fewer comorbidities than those with influenza. Despite this, however, those with COVID-19 were seen to generally be healthier, with lower rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2020

Birds risk starvation trying to "keep pace" with climate change

Birds breeding earlier due to climate change face increased risk of mortality, as chicks hatch into unpredictable weather conditions. This study examines the impact on Tree Swallows, finding that advancing breeding dates result in reduced availability of food resources, exacerbating the effects of climate change.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 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.

Hunting for the lowest known nuclear-excited state

Researchers have successfully measured the lowest known nuclear-excited state in thorium-229, a crucial step towards constructing a nuclear clock. The measurement was made using an extremely accurate detector that detected tiny temperature increases due to energy released during de-excitation of the atomic nucleus.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 6, 2020

Breaking the coupling process

Researchers at University of Freiburg and University of Zurich provide detailed understanding of allostery's dynamics and structure changes. Allostery is crucial for protein signaling, with disruptions potentially leading to diseases like cancer.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2020
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.

Testing for a lipoprotein linked to heart risk is as effective as blood work

A new study suggests genetic risk scoring of lipoprotein(a) can accurately predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, comparable to directly measured levels. This could help physicians identify candidates for treatment or clinical trials, particularly those using direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateOct 6, 2020