Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive September 2020


Page 3 of 49

Artificial intelligence in art: a simple tool or creative genius?

A study by MIT and Max Planck Institute found that people perceive AI as creative genius or tool depending on information presented. The researchers manipulated language to change degree of humanization, influencing recognition and responsibility assigned to humans behind AI systems.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Innate lymphoid cells regenerate within lung

Researchers have generated a single-cell atlas of mouse innate lymphoid cells in the lung, discovering a pool of local progenitors that can generate mature ILC2s. The study reveals the complexity of ILC2 functions and their developmental relationships, shedding light on how they contribute to immune defense and inflammatory diseases.

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.

Neandertal gene variant increases risk of severe COVID-19

A recent study published in Nature reveals that a Neandertal gene variant significantly increases the risk of developing severe COVID-19. The research found that this genetic variant is inherited from Neandertals and affects around three times more people than expected, with varying prevalence across different regions.

A lay person's guide to COVID-19

A 10-week virtual series provides insight into COVID-19 topics for the general public, including vaccine development, mask effectiveness and outbreak tracking. The symposium aims to address community impact and provide solutions.

Urgent need for blood-based biomarkers to diagnosis concussion

A new Expert Panel Discussion examines the status of blood-based biomarker development and point-of-care testing for concussion diagnosis. The discussion highlights the potential benefits of specific biomarkers in detecting brain trauma masked by other injuries or symptoms, adding value over current clinical methods.

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.

New mechanism of cell survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered that CLL cells downregulate STING protein to allow for increased expression of B cell receptors on their surface, promoting survival. This reduction in STING expression enables stronger B cell receptor signaling, supporting CLL cell survival.

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.

New detector breakthrough pushes boundaries of quantum computing

Physicists at Aalto University have developed a new detector that can measure energy quanta with unprecedented resolution, overcoming limitations in current state-of-the-art detectors used in quantum computers. The graphene bolometer achieves speeds of well below a microsecond and higher theoretical accuracy than voltage measurements.

Small molecule targets SARS-CoV-2 RNA for destruction

Researchers have identified small molecules that target the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2, interfering with viral gene expression and targeting the RNA for destruction. By attaching a molecule called RIBOTAC, which recruits an RNA-chopping cellular enzyme, these compounds can increase potency by 10-fold.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Breaking COVID-19's 'clutch' to stop its spread

Scientists create drug-like compounds that bind and destroy COVID-19's frameshifting element to stop the virus from replicating. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of directly targeting viral RNA with small-molecule drugs.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Heading upriver

Researchers have discovered that rivers will jump course more often on deltas than in the past, with avulsions occurring up to 20 times farther upstream. The combination of sea level rise, increased floods, and finer sediment size enables these destructive events to occur ever farther inland.

Researchers exploit weaknesses of master game bots

A new algorithm has been developed by Penn State researchers to train adversarial bots that can exploit weaknesses in master game bots using deep reinforcement learning. The algorithm successfully defeated a world-class AI bot in StarCraft II, highlighting the security threat of using such agents.

Study highlights dual burden of menstruation and homelessness

A study highlights the dual burden of menstruation and homelessness among homeless New Yorkers, who face stigma and lack of access to basic necessities. The research emphasizes the need for improved bathroom quality, supply, and accessibility, as well as easier access to bathing and laundering services.

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.

Covert tobacco industry marketing tactics exposed by former employees

A study published in Global Public Health reveals that tobacco companies are using cash payments, holidays, and exclusive events to incentivize retailers, bypassing current laws. Former employees describe the tactics as aimed at increasing market share and driving sales through retailer loyalty.

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.

New genetic knowledge on the causes of severe COVID-19

Genetic and immunological analyses reveal inherited immunodeficiency in patients with severe COVID-19, impairing anti-viral response. The study identifies 13 critical genes associated with the disease, paving the way for personalized treatment and prevention.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

'Cool' sampling sites more likely to show false trends

Researchers found that species-rich sites can lead to biased measurements of biodiversity change. A systematic approach is needed to prevent such biases and ensure accurate conclusions. The study emphasizes the importance of choosing representative sampling sites to inform conservation efforts.

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.

VA Boston and BU researchers streamline PTSD diagnosis with machine learning

Researchers from VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Public Health used machine learning to explore streamlining the diagnostic tool for PTSD. They found that six questions could be cut from the SCID-5 while maintaining accuracy, with different questions being more or less important for male and female veterans.

Study supports airborne spread of COVID-19 indoors

Researchers linked an outbreak to a source patient who likely spread the virus through the air conditioning system, contradicting long-held assumptions about COVID-19 transmission. The study's findings support the importance of wearing face masks in indoor spaces with poor ventilation.

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.

Successful Dartmouth TB vaccine moves forward after phase 2 trial

A new TB vaccine developed by Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine has shown promising results in a Phase 2 trial, inducing immune responses against the disease. The vaccine was safe and well-tolerated, with minimal local reactions, and may prevent TB disease by inducing a favorable immune response.

Generating renewable hydrogen fuel from the sea

A team of Penn State researchers has integrated water purification technology into a sea water electrolyzer, which uses an electric current to split apart the hydrogen and oxygen in water molecules. This new method can make it easier to turn wind and solar energy into a storable and portable fuel.

Senescent cells may be good when it comes to a bad injury

Scientists discover that stressed liver cells quickly become senescent after hemorrhagic shock, a condition that accounts for 30-40% of trauma-related deaths. This rapid transition to senescence may help prevent organ failure, but drugs targeting senescent cells can be lethal in the context of injury.

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.

Is it one or two species? The case of the cluster anemones

Researchers from Università di Bologna found evidence of genetic isolation between two morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae, suggesting they may belong to different species. The study's findings have significant implications for biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean Sea.

Forgetting past misdeeds to justify future ones

In a study published in PNAS, researchers found that when participants were informed they could return some of the money they had overreported, they forgot their past cheating behavior more accurately. This 'unethical amnesia' allowed them to restore their reputation, making it more acceptable for future moral breaches.

Facile synthesis of quinoline in water

Quinoline and its derivatives have diverse chemical and pharmacological properties. The new water-mediated synthetic method offers environmentally friendly and regioselective transformations. This innovation provides an alternative route for the synthesis of quinolines, minimizing waste and improving efficiency.

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.

Second alignment plane of solar system discovered

A study of comet motions reveals a second alignment plane in our solar system, dubbed the 'empty ecliptic.' The newly discovered plane is where comets' farthest points (aphelia) tend to converge, challenging models of Solar System formation. Long-period comets' orbits show two peaks near the well-known ecliptic and empty ecliptic planes.

Alcohol consumption rises sharply during pandemic shutdown

A new study by the RAND Corporation found that American adults have increased their alcohol consumption significantly during the pandemic, with women experiencing a 41% rise in heavy drinking episodes. The overall frequency of alcohol consumption also rose among all adults aged 30 and above.

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.