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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 43 of 49

Study: Vitamin D deficiency may raise risk of getting COVID-19

A retrospective study of 489 patients found an association between vitamin D deficiency and the likelihood of becoming infected with COVID-19. Patients with vitamin D deficiency were almost twice as likely to test positive for the coronavirus compared to those with sufficient levels.

Advancing the study of traumatic brain injuries

Ashfaq Adnan, a UTA mechanical engineer, will expand his research on traumatic brain injuries using a multi-material 3D printer and high-speed cameras. The new equipment enables the capture of realistic images of brain injuries, which could lead to better detection and treatment methods.

Cell division: Cleaning the nucleus without detergents

A recent study published in Nature reveals that the protein Ki-67 plays a crucial role in excluding large cytoplasmic components from the nucleus before nuclear envelope reassembly. This exclusion process is essential for maintaining cellular compartmentalization and preventing premature translation of immature RNAs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Indigenous knowledge still undervalued - study

New research reveals Indigenous knowledge is regularly misunderstood when making important environmental decisions. The study highlights a power imbalance between Indigenous knowledge holders and scientists, with Indigenous knowledge often perceived as less valuable.

Helping teens with type 1 diabetes improve diabetes control with MyDiaText

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that a text messaging intervention combined with MyDiaText improved self-care for adolescents with T1DM. The study showed persistent engagement and potential increase in glycemic control, suggesting a promising method to engage this population.

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.

NASA finds Maysak becoming extra-tropical

Maysak made landfall on Sept 2 at 12 miles west of Busan, South Korea, with maximum sustained surface winds of 64 knots. The storm underwent extra-tropical transition, gaining frontal characteristics, and is forecast to deepen as a low-pressure area over North Korea and China.

A spicy silver lining

Researchers developed a simple, low-cost method to synthesize silver nanoparticles using habanero peppers. The process utilizes the antioxidant properties of the peppers to reduce silver ions, resulting in stable nanoparticles with potential applications in optics, biosensing, and antimicrobial coatings.

CAPPA scholars honored by Texas Society of Architects

Bradley Bell and Kathryn Holliday, CAPPA scholars, received 2020 Honor Awards from the Texas Society of Architects. They were recognized for their outstanding educational contributions in architecture and excellence in promoting architecture through the media, respectively.

Day after COVID-19: Time to rethink oncology clinical research

The COVID-19 pandemic is driving a shift in oncology clinical research, as new technologies are incorporated and old practices are revisited. This Viewpoint discusses how the pandemic may reshape clinical practice and highlight the need for rethinking oncology clinical research.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

ALMA discovers misaligned rings in planet-forming disk around triple stars

Two teams of astronomers used ALMA to discover a misaligned ring system in the planet-forming disk of GW Orionis, a triple star system. The findings suggest that either gravitational pull from the stars or a newborn planet caused the misalignment, highlighting the complex processes involved in planetary formation.

Study of siblings finds moderate cannabis use impacts cognitive functioning

A new study published in the journal Addiction found that moderate cannabis use during adolescence can have adverse effects on cognitive function, especially verbal memory. The study compared siblings to account for environmental and genetic factors, shedding light on the potential risks of cannabis use on developing brains.

Special Issue - Democracy: In Flux and Under Threat

A series of Insights pieces examines democracy's current state, highlighting key findings on political campaigns, gerrymandering, and racialized governance. Experts propose reforms to better serve marginalized populations and improve democratic governance.

To make a better sensor, just add noise

Penn State researchers discovered that adding background noise can enhance weak signals in manmade sensors, a phenomenon common in the animal world. This technique, known as stochastic resonance, can be used to detect other signals with low energy consumption and space requirements, making it suitable for deployment in IoT applications.

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.

Coaxing single stem cells into specialized cells

Researchers at UIC develop a unique method for precisely controlling the deposition of hydrogel to coax bone marrow stem cells into specialized cells. This technique allows for more accurate interactions between cells and their surroundings, potentially leading to breakthroughs in regenerative therapeutics.

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.

UT Herbarium among recipients of NSF Grant

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville Herbarium is part of a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant to image and digitize metadata for over 1.2 million lichen and bryophyte specimens. Researchers will access specimen metadata and photos to study cryptobiotic communities.

Drone survey reveals large earthwork at ancestral Wichita site in Kansas

A multisensor drone survey has revealed a large circular earthwork at what may be Etzanoa, an archaeological site near Wichita, Kansas. The discovery suggests that undiscovered monumental earthworks may still exist in the Great Plains, and new archaeological methods allow us to see that people made these earthworks.

When doing good boosts health, well-being

Research by the American Psychological Association found that performing acts of kindness and helping others can improve one's mental and physical health. The study, which analyzed 201 independent studies, showed a modest link between prosocial behavior and overall well-being, with younger givers and women reporting stronger relationsh...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Discovery of unconventional hall effect

A team of scientists has found a new Hall effect phenomenon in non-magnetic materials, revealing an intrinsic in-plane response that defies classical expectations. The observed effect is attributed to the interplay between Berry curvature and Weyl semimetal properties.

Obesity may alter immune system response to COVID-19

A new study finds that obesity can lead to an overactive immune response to COVID-19, impairing the body's ability to fight the virus. The review highlights the importance of understanding how obesity interacts with new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

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.

Minimally invasive ellipsys system allows kidney patients to begin dialysis sooner

A new study shows that the Ellipsys Vascular Access System reduces the time before patients with kidney failure can start lifesaving dialysis treatments, while requiring fewer secondary procedures. The technology uses a small needle puncture and catheter to create an endovascular AVF, reducing the average time from fistula creation to ...

How we sleep today may forecast when Alzheimer's disease begins

Researchers at UC Berkeley found a correlation between poor sleep quality and increased beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, indicating an earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease. Deep non-REM slow-wave sleep has been identified as a potential target for intervention against cognitive decline.

Study reveals lactose tolerance happened quickly in Europe

Researchers found that lactase persistence spread rapidly through Central Europe in just a few thousand years, with one in eight warriors able to digest milk. This rapid transformation suggests that the ability to break down lactose provided a significant survival advantage during food shortages or contaminated water scarcity.

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.

Examining the side effects of Alzheimer's disease dementia drugs

A University of Houston researcher is investigating the adverse effects of mixing cholinesterase inhibitors and antimuscarinics in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to evaluate drug interactions and their effects on severe adverse events, ultimately improving the quality of medication use in dementia care.

Wool-like material can remember and change shape

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a biocompatible material with reversible shape memory. The material, made from recycled keratin protein, can be 3D-printed into any shape and change its structure in response to moisture.

EU grant award of EUR 1.5 million to Norwegian university

The ELECTRODE project aims to develop more efficient methods for storing renewable energy, a crucial step towards phasing out fossil fuels. Researchers will create porous photopolymer structures using 3D printing, increasing the effect of fuel cells.

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.

A better model for predicting death by heat in nature?

A mathematical model better accounts for temperature impacts from duration of exposure to improve predictions of heat mortality in natural Drosophila populations. The approach captures cumulative effects of thermal stress and is applicable to other small ectotherms.

"Hotspots" of a corona infection in the human body

A study published in Cell Reports identifies new possible entry points for SARS-CoV-2 into human bodies, including the nasal mucosa and potential hotspots such as the intestine and kidneys. The research provides insights into cellular factors that could contribute to the virus's spread and suggests promising candidates for therapies.

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.

Autonomous robot plays with NanoLEGO

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system that autonomously learns how to grip and move individual molecules, overcoming the complexity of nanoscale manipulation. The system uses reinforcement learning to find optimal movement patterns, enabling targeted assembly and separation of molecules.

A new model to predict survival in colorectal cancer

A new hybrid signature based on DNA mutation and RNA expression patterns has been developed to predict the mutation status and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The model achieved high accuracy and was found to be prognostic for CRC patients.

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.

It takes more than plexiglass to protect against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2

Researchers created an individual biocontainment unit to keep front-line healthcare workers safe during intubation. The device, described in a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine, trapped over 99.9% of simulated SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and prevented them from escaping into the environment.

Old males vital to elephant societies

Research suggests that older bull elephants hold leading positions in male elephant societies, helping younger followers find food and water. The study's findings raise concerns over the removal of old bulls in both legal and illegal hunting practices.