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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 10 of 49

UTIA to lead regional effort to battle farmer, rancher stress

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been chosen to coordinate a regional effort to address farmer and rancher stress in the South. The three-year project aims to provide stress management assistance for people in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations as well as their families.

Columbia leads effort to develop a quantum simulator

A multidisciplinary research team led by Columbia University is developing a quantum simulator to tackle real-world challenges. The project, funded by a $1 million NSF Convergence Accelerator award, aims to create a device that can solve problems difficult for classical computers.

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.

Ultrapotent antibody mix blocks COVID-19 virus attachment

A cocktail of powerful antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients locks down the infection machinery, preventing the virus from entering cells. The antibodies protect hamsters from infection when exposed to the coronavirus, also setting off the infection-fighting actions of other immune cells.

How to better understand what makes a virus win during transmission?

The study proposes a mathematical model to understand the interactions between microorganisms within hosts and their transmission ability. The framework allows for the prediction of infection trajectories in single hosts and transmission in host populations, even considering complex interactions and stochasticity.

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.

Marine heatwaves are human made

Marine heatwaves have increased significantly due to global warming, with major events becoming more frequent and prolonged. The probability of such events has risen massively, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems and their ability to recover.

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.

5G wireless may lead to inaccurate weather forecasts

A Rutgers study suggests that 5G wireless networks may impact the accuracy of weather forecasts. The study found that even low levels of 5G radiation can affect precipitation and temperature predictions by up to 0.9 millimeters and 2.34 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.

Loving-kindness meditation will make you happier

Researchers found loving-kindness meditation to be more effective in increasing happiness and positive emotions, while compassion meditation also did not result in negative emotions growth. Self-compassion played a key role in the positive effects of compassion meditation.

How earthquake swarms arise

A Stanford-developed model shows that fluids ascending by fits and starts weaken the fault, propelling the boundary or locking depth upward. This process can trigger earthquake swarms, strings of quakes clustered in a local area, often too subtle to notice but sometimes strong enough to rattle cities.

Housing instability linked with poor diabetes control, suggests US study

A large-scale US study found that housing instability is associated with poor blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. The study of over 25,000 patients revealed that frequent address changes and housing insecurity are linked to higher risk of emergency department visits and lower vaccination rates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Penicillium camemberti: a history of domestication on cheese

Researchers found that domesticating Penicillium camemberti from a wild mould resulted in beneficial characteristics for cheese production, including whiteness and increased growth rates. The study may impact the selection of moulds for cheese production.

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.

3D camera earns its stripes at Rice

Researchers at Rice University have developed a compact Hyperspectral Stripe Projector that combines depth and spectral information, enabling real-time 3D spectroscopy. This technology has potential applications in self-driving cars, machine vision, crop monitoring, and surface wear and corrosion detection.

Researchers explore how the human brain is so resilient

The US Army Research Laboratory teamed up with Italian Institute of Technology, Harvard Medical School, and University of California, Irvine to study the complexities of the human brain. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation and fMRI to track neural changes after inhibiting a specific part of the brain.

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.

Common pelvic pain drug is ineffective, study finds

A new study found that gabapentin, a commonly used drug for chronic pelvic pain, is no more effective than a placebo in treating the condition. Researchers recommend exploring alternative therapies such as physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy instead.

Reasons for football injuries

The study found that tackling is linked to a high risk of injury for the attacking player, while injuries without physical contact often occur due to fast running. To prevent these injuries, experts recommend training consisting of aerobic and anaerobic elements.

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.

Pale melanomas masked by albino gene

Researchers found people with pale-colored melanomas are more likely to have an albinism gene mutation, which prevents brown pigment synthesis and increases skin cancer risk. This discovery could lead to personalized medicine and earlier treatment for patients with one mutated albinism gene.

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.

LBG individuals use stimulants at higher rates than heterosexuals

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals, particularly bisexual women and gay men, use stimulants at higher rates than heterosexuals. This is linked to minority stress and structural stigma, with potential consequences including substance use disorder and overdose.

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.

Y chromosomes of Neandertals and Denisovans now sequenced

Researchers have successfully sequenced the Y chromosomes of Neandertals and Denisovans, shedding light on their genetic relationships. The findings reveal that Neandertals had adopted male sex chromosomes from modern humans, with similar patterns seen in mitochondrial DNA.

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.

Air pollution leads to increase in electricity usage, study suggests

A recent study by Cardiff University researchers found that high levels of air pollution force people indoors, leading to higher electricity consumption in both residential and commercial buildings. The effects are particularly pronounced in lower-income families and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

COVID-19: Berlin scientists lay basis for a passive vaccination

Researchers at DZNE identified effective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which could trigger undesired side effects when binding to various organs. These neutralizing antibodies can prevent the virus from entering cells and reproducing, helping immune cells eliminate the pathogen.

The return of the spin echo

A research team has discovered a remarkable echo effect in phosphorus atoms on silicon, allowing for the detection of multiple spin echoes. This effect is due to strong coupling between atomic spins and microwave photons, enabling the processing of quantum information.

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.

Camera traps show impact of recreational activity on wildlife

Researchers used camera traps to monitor wildlife and human trail use in South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park, finding that wildlife tends to avoid places recently visited by recreational users. The study highlights the need to balance outdoor recreation with potential disruption of ecosystems and loss of species.

Reimagining everyday technologies in light of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a reevaluation of life as normal, prompting Dr. Alex Taylor to explore the role of technology in society. Key findings include the need to rethink technological solutions that prioritize individual health over social and multispecies relationships.

New analytical model detects mutations in breast cancer

Researchers at Lund University developed a computational model to detect and identify genetic mutations in breast tumours using RNA sequencing. The study found that almost 87% of patients had at least one mutation for which potential drugs exist, with specific genes like PIK3CA associated with good prognosis.

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.

Talc and petroleum jelly among the best lubricants for people wearing PPE

Researchers from Imperial College London found that non-absorptive creams and powders like talcum powder and coconut oil-cocoa butter mixtures are most effective in providing long-lasting skin protection for PPE wearers. These products create a protective layer between skin and PPE, reducing friction and shear injuries.

What new research reveals about rude workplace emails

Two studies found that dealing with rude emails at work creates lingering stress and affects productivity, sleep, and family life. Researchers urge employees to psychologically detach from stressful workdays and managers to set clear expectations regarding email communications.

Age restrictions for handguns make little difference in homicides

A recent University of Washington study found that age restrictions on handgun purchases have little effect on the rate of homicides involving guns by people in this age group. The central issue is high informal access to firearms, making it difficult to address with age limits. Firearms are a leading cause of death among American youth.

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.

Jindal school researchers examine COVID-19 impact on manufacturing

A study published in IEEE Engineering Management Review found that manufacturers' crisis communication plans often lack managing infectious-disease outbreaks. The researchers identified the supporting enablers and competing barriers of manufacturing repurposing within the context of COVID-19 disruptions.