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Science News for September 13, 2020


Food mechanics recipe to serve up healthy food that lasts

Researchers developed a computational model to simulate the micromechanical behavior of dried plant cells, providing insight into improving design of industrial machinery for food drying processes. The study also highlights implications for moving beyond plant cells to biomedical and human cosmetic applications.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 13, 2020

Proximity to the southern border and DUI arrests in California

A new study found that DUI arrest rates in California increase as distance to the southern border decreases, likely due to greater availability of alcohol. The study also reveals sociodemographic factors contributing to higher DUI rates, including Hispanic population density and age groups.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·DateSep 13, 2020

Scientists explore the potential for further improvements to tropical cyclone track forecasts

Researchers found that true forecast track error increases exponentially with lead time, implying dynamics of TC motions are linear and model-induced errors in TC position forecasts are minimal. The team's 4-parameter error model indicates potential extension of predictability limit beyond 6/8 days in 10/30 years' time.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateSep 13, 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.

Asthma patients given risky levels of steroid tablets

More than one quarter of asthma patients were prescribed excessive amounts of steroid tablets, posing a risk of serious side effects. Researchers recommend using preventer inhalers as the best way to avoid or minimize steroid use and its associated risks.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·DateSep 13, 2020

When methane-eating microbes eat ammonia instead

Researchers uncover the production of nitric oxide by methane-eating microbes when they co-metabolize ammonia, a process previously thought to be toxic. This finding has significant implications for understanding the survival and growth of methanotrophs in environments with increasing fertilizer input.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2020