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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 17 of 49

NASA imagery reveals strongest areas of Tropical Storm Beta

Tropical Storm Beta is expected to stall inland over Texas today, bringing heavy rains and flash flooding. NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed the storm using infrared data, revealing coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Patients with COVID-19 may have higher risk of kidney injury

Observational study finds COVID-19 patients with high suPAR levels are at increased risk for acute kidney injury and death. Elevated suPAR levels were found in over a third of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, leading to a 20-fold increase in dialysis needs.

Children's immune response more effective against COVID-19

A new study found that children exhibit higher levels of two immune system molecules, IL-17A and INF-?, which contribute to their better COVID-19 outcomes. This robust innate immune response may protect children from progressing to severe pulmonary disease.

GoPro HERO13 Black

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Wild birds as offerings to the Egyptian gods

Scientists analyzed geochemical data from mummy remains to determine if they were bred or hunted. The results indicate that the birds were wild and migrating seasonally, suggesting mass hunting and capture. This discovery sheds light on ancient Egyptian practices and their impact on the environment.

Cities beat suburbs at inspiring cutting-edge innovations

A recent study suggests that population density plays a crucial role in innovation, with cities producing unconventional patents and suburbs producing conventional ones. The research found that large innovative companies tend to perform their research in suburban office parks, while urban cores facilitate interactions between researche...

Concordia researchers delve into the Montreal Casino's "Vegas Nights" experience

A study by Concordia researchers examines the sensory design techniques used in the Montreal Casino's 'Vegas Nights' experience, revealing a complex interplay of sights, sounds, and smells that create a unique atmosphere. The authors argue that this 'sensuous' gambling experience is under-studied and warrants critical analysis.

Warming temperatures are driving arctic greening

A new study using satellite images tracked the Arctic tundra's vegetation changes over decades and found it has become greener due to warmer air and soil temperatures. This 'Arctic greening' is associated with higher soil temperatures and moisture, impacting local ecosystems and wildlife.

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Nearly 20 percent of americans don't have enough to eat

A new study reveals that nearly 20% of US adults face food insecurity, with worse rates among Hispanics, Blacks, people with obesity, and women. The report also links food insecurity to obesity and other health issues, highlighting the need for public policy solutions.

Fostering 'political' attitude adjustments

Researchers at the University of Missouri developed a narrative writing exercise to encourage people to reduce political polarization. The study found that this exercise can foster different perspectives and create a sense of common identity, reducing angst toward those with opposing views.

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Thin and ultra-fast photodetector sees the full spectrum

Researchers at RMIT University developed a hyper-efficient broadband photodetector that can see all shades of light, shrinking it by 1,000 times while maintaining speed and low-light sensitivity. The device has potential applications in biomedical imaging, motion detection, and fibre optic communication.

Inducing plasma in biomass could make biogas easier to produce

Researchers have developed a method to break down thick biomass material using microwave pulses, reducing viscosity and breaking polymer chains. The plasma-liquid interaction forms reactive species that help degrade biomass, making it easier to produce biogas.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

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The co-occurrence of cancer driver genes, key to precision medicine

A computational pipeline predicts tumour response to different cancer treatments by identifying complex response markers from the patterns of co-occurrence between cancer driver genes. The system achieved 66% accuracy in predicting responses, offering a key factor in precision medicine for patients.

DOE funding boosts artificial intelligence research at Jefferson Lab

The DOE has awarded $2.16 million to two physicists at Jefferson Lab for AI-assisted experiment control and calibration, as well as improved SRF operation at the CEBAF accelerator facility. These projects aim to optimize operations and generate better-quality data, potentially shaving off months of research labor.

Divide and enlarge

A research team led by Prof. Dr. Robert Grosse has found that bundled fibers of actin play a crucial role in the expansion of cell nuclei after division. This process is essential for reorganizing genetic information and processing chromatin.

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Web resources bring new insight into COVID-19

Researchers have developed two new web resources to study the effects of coronavirus infection on host molecular signaling pathways. These resources, freely available through the Signaling Pathways Project and Network Data Exchange, provide valuable information for accelerating the development of novel therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.

Silk offers homemade solution for COVID-19 prevention

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that silk face masks are comfortable, breathable, and can help ward off airborne viruses like COVID-19. The fabric's natural copper content provides additional antimicrobial benefits, making it a promising alternative to traditional face coverings.

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COVID-19 opens a partisan gap on voting by mail

A partisan gap has opened up in voting by mail preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Democrats expressing a significantly greater preference for mail ballots than Republicans. Despite this gap, there is bipartisan support for making mail ballots available to all voters who want them.

Underground connection

Researchers developed the Effective Catchment Index (ECI) to analyze global data sets and determine how topographic and actual catchment areas differ. The study found that every third catchment has an effective area greater than twice or less than half its topographical area, influenced by water management activities.

NASA sees Hurricane Teddy threaten Eastern Canada

Hurricane Teddy is threatening Eastern Canada with powerful storms and cold cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms. The hurricane's forecast track predicts it will move over Nova Scotia on Wednesday, bringing tropical-storm-force winds and large swells.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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Johns Hopkins researchers publish COVID-19 'prediction model'

Researchers used data from seven weeks of COVID-19 patient care to create the 'COVID Inpatient Risk Calculator' (CIRC), which assesses patient risk of disease worsening. The model considers factors like age, BMI, lung health, and vital signs to predict disease progression.

Who's Tweeting about scientific research? And why?

Researchers mined Twitter users' follower descriptions to characterize them in detail and analyze the impact of taxpayer-funded research on academia. The study found that hundreds of papers had audience sectors dominated by conspiracy theorists or science denialists, highlighting the need for scientists to monitor social media engagement.

County and ZIP code-level data show 'stark social inequities' in COVID-19

A study analyzing county and ZIP code-level data reveals consistently higher rates of COVID-19 illness and death among people living in more-disadvantaged communities. The analysis also showed that counties with higher percentages of poverty, crowding, and people of color had significantly higher COVID-19 death rates.

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Online training helps preemies

A randomised controlled study found that computerised training can support preterm children's academic success, particularly in math and attention skills. The study tested two learning apps, Xtramath and Cogmed, on 65 first graders born preterm.

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Falling Medicare reimbursement rates for orthopaedic trauma

A study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that Medicare reimbursement for common orthopedic trauma procedures has decreased by 30% over the past two decades. This decline is largely due to inflation adjustments, with costs increasing by 52.8% but average reimbursement rising only 4.9%.

Southern hemisphere could see up to 30% less rain at end of the century

Climate models suggest that tropical and subtropical southern hemisphere countries, including Brazil, may experience longer droughts and reduced rainfall by the end of the century. The mid-Pliocene period, which occurred 3 million years ago, shares characteristics with modern warming, indicating a possible future scenario.

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How to improve the surgery backlog during COVID-19

A new paper suggests three strategies to address the COVID-19 surgery backlog, including expanding telemedicine services and providing transparent surgical billing. By adopting these solutions, hospitals can efficiently work through their backlogs and improve patient outcomes.

Drying of midlatitude Asia

Research reveals continuous loess deposition over the past 3.6 million years, indicating a dry climate and desert conditions in midlatitude Asia. Global cooling is linked to this aridity, intensifying westerly winds and enhancing dust production.

Rapid warming and mass mortality of fish

A recent study found that rapid warming events can lead to widespread mortality of coral reef fish. The research examined mass fish kills in the northern Red Sea and Kuwait Bay, revealing a link between rapid warming spikes and increased mortality.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Suspension of fertility treatments during COVID-19 has mental health impacts

A study of suspended fertility treatments during COVID-19 found that 86% of women reported negative mental health impacts and 52% experienced clinically significant depression. Protective factors like lower defensive pessimism, greater infertility acceptance, and better social support were associated with less decline in mental health.

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.

Dental anomaly and body size variation in dogs

A study found genetic variants associated with a dental anomaly and smaller body size in dogs, particularly in toy breeds. These variants affect the processing of growth hormone and RNA enzymes, leading to reduced height and weight.

COVID-19 and human trafficking

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated human trafficking by increasing vulnerability among at-risk populations and disrupting support services. Researchers found that the global crisis has led to a surge in exploitation and abuse, particularly among children and women.

Marine sponges inspire the next generation of skyscrapers and bridges

Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new lattice design inspired by marine sponge skeletons, achieving higher strength-to-weight ratios than traditional designs. The diagonal reinforcement strategy improves structural strength without adding material, paving the way for innovative infrastructural applications.

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