Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive September 2020


Page 26 of 49

Generation of three-dimensional heart organoids

Scientists developed three-dimensional heart organoids resembling the developing heart using mouse embryonic stem cells and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). The organoids exhibit functional properties similar to their in vivo counterparts, offering a promising biomimetic model for studying heart development and testing novel drugs. T...

Breast cancer surgery type, quality of life among younger women

Researchers investigated quality of life among younger women after breast cancer surgery, finding differences in physical functioning and body image between mastectomy and breast conserving surgery. Anxiety and depressive symptoms also varied by surgical approach.

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.

Reprogramming brain cells enables flexible decision-making

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex can reprogram neurons in sensory areas to enable flexible decision-making. This process involves a direct connection between the two regions, allowing for rapid adaptation to new situations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fast calculation dials in better batteries

A simpler analytical model developed by Rice University researchers can quickly evaluate the rate capability of batteries and identify optimal electrode materials. The model's accuracy is within 10% of more computationally intensive algorithms, making it a game-changer for battery optimization.

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.

Building bridges: PARP enzymes bring broken DNA together

Researchers have identified the structure of double-strand DNA break repair by PARP enzymes, which can bridge broken DNA ends together. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying PARP activation and catalytic cycle, potentially aiding in understanding resistance to cancer drugs that inhibit PARP.

Physicists make electrical nanolasers even smaller

Researchers have developed an approach to create electrically driven nanolasers for integrated circuits, enabling coherent light source design at the nanoscale. This breakthrough could lead to ultrafast optical data transfer and potentially create a 1,000-core processor that is virtually 100 times faster than its counterpart.

Biggest fish in the sea are girls

Female whale sharks grow more slowly than males but eventually surpass them to reach an average adult length of 14 metres. The study found that only one pregnant whale shark had produced 300 young, highlighting the benefits of large size for female whales.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Tailored education system to benefit kidney transplant patients

Researchers developed a tailored education system called 'Your Path to Transplant' that increases patient knowledge and readiness to pursue kidney transplant. The program, tested on over 800 patients, showed significant improvements in transplant preparedness and living donor transplant rates.

Biologists developing global citizen network to monitor insect abundance

Researchers are establishing a global volunteer network to track the abundance of dragonflies and damselflies, crucial indicators of environmental changes in freshwater biodiversity. The network aims to fill gaps in knowledge by collecting standardized data over 10-15 years from citizen scientists worldwide.

Researchers create better material for wearable biosensors

A team of researchers at Binghamton University has created a porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material that improves the breathability and accuracy of wearable biosensors. The new material allows for sweat evaporation during exercise, maintaining high-resolution signals.

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.

A new discovery in regenerative medicine

A new discovery in regenerative medicine may lead to new treatments for placenta complications during pregnancy. Researchers at Monash University and Duke-NUS have developed a method to create induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) that can be used to make placenta cells.

When do people retweet health agencies' COVID-19 messages?

A study analyzed 700 state and local health agency tweets about COVID-19, finding that tweets with practical information and video attachments were more likely to be retweeted. The researchers identified a set of common keywords and phrases used in the tweets over time.

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.

Nicotine vapour more rewarding for adolescents than adults

Researchers at University of Guelph discover that e-cigarette vapour is more rewarding for adolescents, even with shorter exposures, compared to adults. The findings may help explain why e-cigarettes are popular among adolescents and contribute to their continued use.

NASA finds coldest cloud tops on hurricane Teddy's western side

NASA's Aqua satellite detected the strongest storms on Hurricane Teddy's western side, with coldest cloud top temperatures as low as -81 degrees Celsius. This suggests that the storm is experiencing westerly wind shear, a phenomenon that can lead to heavy rain.

Scientists updated genome editing technology

Researchers developed polymeric carriers that can load multiple types of genetic material, improving efficiency and reducing toxicity compared to existing analogues. The technology has the potential to revolutionize gene therapy by delivering two RNA and DNA molecules through a single carrier.

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.

Princeton scientists explain how diverse species coexist in microbial communities

Researchers at Princeton University discovered that microbial community diversity increases when nutrients are seasonally available, contradicting a long-held assumption. The study found that certain species, known as the 'early bird,' can gain an early growth advantage by consuming easily accessible nutrients and outcompeting others.

Liquid water at 170 degrees Celsius

Scientists use European XFEL to observe anomalous dynamics in superheated water, revealing uneven heating and unexpected behavior. The study's results are crucial for planning experiments with heat-sensitive samples.

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.

New targets for melanoma treatment

A collaborative study has uncovered new markers uniquely present on melanoma tumours that can be recognised by the immune system. These markers, known as spliced peptides, can be used to develop therapeutic vaccines to combat melanoma.

Reducing colorectal cancer disparities among African american men

African American men have lowest five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer due to low adherence to recommended early detection screening. Researchers recommend focusing interventions on recruiting men from this population and conducting studies in non-traditional health care settings.

Better communication helps translate molecular tools

KAUST scientists propose a roadmap for molecular ecologists, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on DNA-based approaches for marine monitoring. DNA barcoding and metabarcoding can save time and money by identifying species from small DNA fragments.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Oral radiography can reveal chronic coronary artery disease

A study found a significant association between carotid artery calcification observed in oral panoramic radiographs and chronic coronary artery disease. The researchers also discovered that patients with severe carotid artery calcification had a significantly higher risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.

Physical diseases can negatively affect a depression

Patients with a first-time depression diagnosis have an increased risk of worsening and requiring hospitalisation if they have previously been treated for a physical disease at a hospital. The risk is also influenced by age and the number of physical diseases, with more diseases under 65 increasing the risk.

New Great Lakes model improves operational forecast system

A new Great Lakes model has been developed to improve the operational forecast system, providing more accurate predictions of water levels, temperatures, and currents. The model incorporates data assimilation techniques, which combine observational data and numerical model results to produce a more accurate estimate.

Immune 'cloaking' in cancer cells and implications for immunotherapy

A team of researchers developed a mathematical model that can determine the impact of the immune system on tumour evolution. The model predicts when cancer cells will activate their cloaking mechanisms against the immune system and informs on whether immunotherapy is likely to be effective.

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.

Where trouble starts

Researchers, led by University of Delaware biologist Shuo Wei, have won $1.8 million in NIH support for their study on birth defects caused by genetic mutations in neural crest stem cells. The study focuses on the DDX3X gene and its role in developmental disorders.

Researchers 3D print tiny multicolor microstructures

The new method enables precision fabrication of optical components and multimaterial structures, eliminating assembling processes. It allows the production of devices with high precision and low cost, and could aid in the miniaturization of optical devices used for medical treatments and diagnoses.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Climate change threatens Komodo dragons

A new study warns that climate change could drive Komodo dragons to extinction due to habitat loss and sea-level rise. The research suggests that conservation strategies are not enough to protect the species in the face of global warming.

A white dwarf's surprise planetary companion

Astronomers have discovered a Jupiter-sized planet, WD 1856b, orbiting close to a white dwarf star, defying previous assumptions about planetary destruction. The planet's unique characteristics suggest it may have originated far from the star and survived its demise, raising hopes for future discoveries.

How vitamin E acetate might injure vapers' lungs

Researchers found that vitamin E acetate increases lung surfactant fluidity, causing the surfactant layer to collapse. This may contribute to symptoms like shortness of breath and lung inflammation in EVALI patients.

Extent of India's COVID nudge campaign revealed

A new study by the University of Cambridge suggests that India's government used nudge theory to maintain a strict lockdown and influence public behavior during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign included policy nudges, social media campaigns, and appeals to powerful values such as patriotism and community.

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.

Researchers discover new photoactivation mechanism for polymer production

Researchers at NC State University have developed a new method for producing polymer gel objects from pure monomer solutions using low-energy, visible light. This process has the potential to overcome current challenges in producing these materials and sheds light on the ways in which low energy photons can combine to produce high ener...

Great progress for electronic gadgets of the future

Scientists at Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found a way to control the conductivity of materials without affecting other properties. This breakthrough enables the creation of multifunctional devices using the same material.

Rapid 3D printing with visible light

Researchers have created photopolymer resins that speed up visible-light curing, enabling faster 3D printing of stiff and soft objects. The optimized mix allows build speeds of up to 1.8 inches per hour, opening up new applications for 3D printing.

Discovery of a new mass extinction

A new mass extinction event was discovered 233 million years ago, which led to the dinosaur takeover of the world. The Carnian Pluvial Episode caused widespread biodiversity loss due to climate change and increased greenhouse gases, but ultimately paved the way for the evolution of modern ecosystems.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Major NSF grant accelerates development of the Giant Magellan Telescope

The Giant Magellan Telescope will utilize revolutionary optical technologies to transform humanity's view and understanding of the universe. The NSF grant enables the prototyping and testing of advanced optics, including adaptive secondary mirrors and phasing testbeds, to achieve diffraction-limited imaging.

The unintended consequence of becoming empathetic

Researchers from Michigan State University found that people who want to improve their empathy tend to shift towards more liberal ideologies, prioritizing care and fairness. This study is the first to explore shifts in personalities and morals due to volitional change.

Domestic horses probably did not originate in Anatolia

Domestic horses probably did not originate in Anatolia, according to a new study of ancient horse remains. The researchers found that nonlocal genetic lineages appeared suddenly in about 2000 BCE, suggesting an origin in nearby Black Sea regions.

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.