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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 28 of 49

PTSD may double risk of dementia

A new meta-analysis of global evidence found that people with PTSD are up to twice as likely to develop dementia later in life. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million people and found a significant association between PTSD and increased dementia risk, which may be related to hypervigilance and social withdrawal.

Biologic therapy for psoriasis may reduce heart disease

A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging Journal found that biologic therapy for psoriasis can significantly reduce high-risk plaque in heart arteries over a one-year period. The treatment was associated with an 8% reduction in coronary plaque, similar to the benefits of statin therapy.

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.

NASA sees Tropical Depression Rene dissipating

NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Depression Rene as it was dissipating in the central North Atlantic Ocean. The storm opened into a trough of low pressure and dissipated over several hours.

Fish, seaweed inspire slippery surfaces for ships

A team of researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Pohang University of Science and Technology developed a lubricant-infused slip surface to reduce friction in ships. They found that larger open areas lead to a more slippery surface, while lid thickness has little effect on slip.

Study suggests financial holdings influenced key votes for house lawmakers

A recent study found strong associations between financial holdings of legislators and their votes on key financial legislation, suggesting that many lawmakers voted in ways that benefited their personal finances. Researchers analyzed data from five key pieces of economic legislation between 1999 and 2008, finding that legislators larg...

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.

Phosphine on Venus

An international team of astronomers detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere, which could be evidence of biological origin, but unknown photochemistry or geochemistry are also possible explanations.

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.

Energy harvesting goes organic, gets more flexible

Scientists have developed peptide-based nanotubes that can be used to create efficient energy harvesting systems. By controlling the alignment of the tubes and incorporating graphene oxide, they improved conductivity and increased current output.

Reforestation can only partially restore tropical soils

A study by University of Göttingen researchers reveals that reforestation can only partially restore degraded tropical soil properties. The team analyzed data from 130 studies and found that soil degradation persists even decades after deforestation, with deeper soil layers losing significant amounts of carbon.

Single photons from a silicon chip

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have designed a silicon-based light source to generate single photons, a crucial component for quantum cryptography and communication. The prototype can produce 100,000 single photons per second and is stable even after several days of continuous operation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Aiming for accuracy

Researchers say AI and machine learning can help improve the peer review process by detecting discrepancies in research papers. With many COVID-19 studies published without thorough review, AI-powered tools may be able to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns that human reviewers might miss.

Future autonomous machines may build trust through emotion

Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory found that emotion expressions can shape cooperation in autonomous systems. They suggest guidelines for designing machines that promote cooperation with soldiers by using a combination of action and emotion displays.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that active surveillance and surge testing can prevent COVID-19 spread in homeless shelters. Guidelines developers face challenges due to poorly designed studies, but solutions are proposed through the COVID-NMA Project, which aims to improve evidence synthesis and guideline development.

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.

The Wnt pathway gets even more complicated

Researchers found that Casein Kinase-1 regulates the Wnt signaling pathway at the plasma membrane, triggering the activation of RNF43. This new understanding could lead to a novel approach for reining the Wnt pathway in cancer cells, potentially reviving the tumor suppressor function of RNF43.

September/October 2020 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A study found that rural counties with obstetrical care have better infant birth outcomes, including lower mortality rates and fewer underweight babies. Telehealth can also support collaborative mental health care in rural clinics, enabling primary care physicians to work proficiently with patients.

Michael Mann receives World Sustainability Award

Michael E. Mann, a leading climate researcher, has received the 2020 World Sustainability Award for his groundbreaking work on climate change and sustainability. He is recognized for his contributions to understanding human impact on climate change and advancing climate modeling and statistical methods.

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.

A new approach to understanding the biology of wound healing

Researchers developed a non-invasive method to sample cells from wounds using discarded bandages, revealing higher levels of neutrophils in chronic wounds. This technique could help develop targeted therapies to promote healing and predict wound outcomes.

Hopelessness in heart patients study to factor in COVID-19

A University of Illinois Chicago study explores the effects of COVID-19 shelter-in-place and physical distancing measures on heart disease patients' hopelessness and physical activity. Researchers will evaluate the 'Heart Up!' intervention's impact on health outcomes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

NASA satellite imagery shows Teddy consolidating

Teddy is consolidating in the Central North Atlantic Ocean with improved circulation and increasing maximum sustained winds. The storm's structure is slowly improving, with stronger thunderstorms around its core.

New on/off functionality for fast, sensitive, ultra-small technologies

A research team at Osaka University developed an ultra-small actuator with unparalleled sensitivity, fast on/off response, and nanometer-scale precision. The actuator uses a phase transition in vanadium oxide crystals to achieve high accuracy and speed, revolutionizing micro-robotics and advanced technologies.

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.

Human white blood cells use molecular paddles to swim

Researchers have discovered that human white blood cells use a new mechanism called molecular paddling to swim and migrate through fluids without changing shape. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms of cell migration, which could impact our understanding of immune responses and cancer research.

Researchers to study extreme weather in the Northeast

UMass Lowell researchers are studying the relationship between heat waves and droughts in the Northeast, using moisture-tracking techniques and computer-aided modeling. The team hopes to better understand how well they can predict these extreme weather events and their potential impact on climate change.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Schöninger spears - mankind's earliest wooden weapons

The University of Göttingen and the Lower Saxony State Service for Cultural Heritage are conducting a research project to analyze the oldest wooden objects from the Schöningen site. The spears, dated at 300,000 years old, provide valuable insights into the technical and intellectual abilities of early European hominins.

Researchers identify key role of immune cells in brain infection

A new study details the damaging role of the immune system in a severe brain condition caused by herpes simplex virus. Researchers have identified specific immune cells and a signalling protein that induce brain inflammation, paving the way for targeted treatments.

Loneliness predicts development of type 2 diabetes

A study published in Diabetologia found that loneliness predicts the development of type 2 diabetes, even after accounting for other factors. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,100 adults and discovered that individuals experiencing chronic loneliness were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes over a period of 12 years.

Protecting genomic privacy

A Case Western Reserve University researcher is working to enhance genomic privacy protections using a $1.2 million NIH grant. He plans to identify weaknesses in the genomic data sharing network and develop more complex algorithms to protect against potential threats.

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.

Vaping, marijuana use in 2019 rose in college-age adults

The percentage of college students who said they vaped marijuana in the past 30 days increased from 5.2% in 2017 to 14% in 2019, while those who used nicotine rose from 6.1% in 2017 to 22% in 2019. Daily or near-daily use of marijuana also increased among non-college attendees.

Researchers use soy to improve bone cancer treatment

WSU researchers have developed a new approach using soy-based compounds to reduce bone cancer cell viability and promote healthy bone cell growth. The slow release of these compounds from 3D-printed scaffolds showed promise in reducing inflammation and improving overall recovery.

UIC researcher to test voice-activated AI to manage mental health symptoms

A novel approach is being tested to deliver care to those with moderate depression and anxiety using artificial intelligence. Researchers at UIC are developing a voice-enabled, AI virtual agent named Lumen to deliver Problem Solving Therapy (PST) to patients with moderate, untreated depressive and/or anxiety symptoms.

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.

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.

Molecular basis underlying colorectal cancer revealed

A team of scientists has unraveled the molecular basis underlying colorectal cancer by discovering how mutations in RNF43 activate the Wnt signaling pathway. This finding provides potential treatment options for certain types of colorectal cancer.

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.

People react better to both negative and positive events with more sleep

A new study from the University of British Columbia found that people who get less sleep than usual react more emotionally to stressful events, while those who get longer sleep have better responses to positive experiences. This has important health implications, as chronic stress can lead to inflammation and premature death.