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Science News Archive September 2020


Page 7 of 49

Boosting public trust in scientists hangs on communications methods

A West Virginia University professor argues that effective communication is crucial for gaining the American public's trust in scientists. By considering four dimensions of trust and tailored communication objectives, science communicators can increase perceptions of competence, integrity, benevolence, and openness.

'Portfolio' of marine reserves enhances fish populations

A study by Dr. Hugo Harrison found that connecting marine reserves through a 'portfolio' approach can provide reliable quantities of fish across an ecosystem. This approach supports more fish, which then produce even greater numbers of baby fish, ultimately stabilizing fish populations.

GoPro HERO13 Black

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Fungal compound inhibits important group of proteins

Researchers have identified a fungal compound, cercosporamide, that inhibits BMP receptors, which are overactive in certain diseases. This finding offers new possibilities for treating conditions like Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Wildlife value of tropical forest restoration

A study in Borneo found that degraded tropical forests have a high conservation value for 28 tropical mammal species. Mammals tend to avoid heavily degraded areas with open canopies and reduced vegetation density, highlighting the importance of maintaining good quality forest habitat.

Magnitude and impact of Ilopango volcanic eruption

Researchers pinpointed the date of the Ilopango volcano's Tierra Blanca Joven eruption, identifying its impacts on climate and society. The eruption is believed to have cooled the atmosphere by 0.5 °C for a few years, with effects largely limited to the local region.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The pace of environmental change can doom or save coral reefs

Research reveals coral reef ecosystems collapse under rapid fishing pressures due to positive feedback between fish behavior and ecosystem sensitivity. The study highlights the importance of understanding the social component of individual fish in managing coral reefs for sustainable harvest levels.

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.

Scientists explored optimal shapes of thermal energy storages

Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University studied the correlation between TES shape and efficiency, finding that straight walls are often preferred but can vary depending on specific criteria. The study also explored the potential of integrating TES with other energy accumulators, such as adiabatic compressed air storages.

Inside mitochondria and their fascinating genome

Researchers have discovered that mitochondrial RNA's are packaged into tiny liquid droplets that can fuse together and break apart, providing insight into the dynamic nature of mitochondrial genetics. This finding is crucial for understanding how cells produce energy and has implications for diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondria.

Scientists kill cancer cells by 'shutting the door' to the nucleus

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered a way to selectively kill aggressive cancer cells by blocking the construction of nuclear pore complexes. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for deadly tumors such as melanoma, leukemia, and colorectal cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Lipids, lysosomes, and autophagy: The keys to preventing kidney injury

A team of researchers from Osaka University has identified the crucial role of lipids, lysosomes, and autophagy in preventing kidney injury. By understanding how calcium, lipids, and lysosomal degradation interact, scientists can develop new treatments for kidney damage caused by crystal-induced injuries.

The key to lowering CO2 emissions is made of metal

Researchers at Osaka City University have discovered metal ions as a key component to produce malic acid, a molecule with 4 carbon atoms, through artificial photosynthesis. This innovation enables the exploration of CO2 as a raw material for producing complex materials.

Earthquake lightning: Mysterious luminescence phenomena

Researchers investigated luminescence caused by landslides and found different rocks emit light due to unique reasons, with granite exhibiting remarkable photoemission. The study uses ultra-sensitive cameras and spectroscopes to analyze the phenomenon, which could lead to advancements in earthquake prediction and disaster prevention.

Bird brains are surprisingly complex

Researchers use innovative microscopy method to analyze bird brain structure, finding similarities with mammalian neocortex. The study reveals horizontal and vertical layers, refuting long-held assumptions about avian brain organization.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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Disparities in migraine by sexual orientation

A survey-based study examines the association between sexual orientation and migraine prevalence. The findings suggest that LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience migraines than their heterosexual counterparts.

Early introduction of gluten may prevent coeliac disease in children

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that introducing high doses of gluten from four months of age may prevent coeliac disease in children. The Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) Study showed no cases of coeliac disease among infants who introduced gluten early, but further studies are needed for confirmation.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Busy pictures hinder reading ability in children

A new study published by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that extraneous images on reading pages can draw attention away from text, reducing comprehension in beginning readers. Streamlined illustrations improved reading comprehension scores in first- and second-grade students.

Diamonds in meteorites and impact shock

Researchers found micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized diamonds, along with metallic iron and graphite, in ureilite meteorites. The discovery suggests that diamond formation does not require a Mars-sized parent body, contradicting previous theories.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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Wound-healing waves

Cells utilize long-distance traveling waves in a self-organized manner to close wounds, guided by intricate interplay of cell movement, sensing, and protein activation. This coupled system enables robust communication of direction over large distances, promoting coordinated behavior for healing and growth.

NIH-funded study sheds light on abnormal neural function in rare genetic disorder

A NIH-funded study identified neuronal abnormalities in cortical cells from individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with mental illnesses and developmental delays. The study suggests that overexpression of the DGCR8 gene and exposure to certain antipsychotic drugs can restore normal cellular functioning.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

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Cancer's hidden vulnerabilities

Researchers developed a framework to study metabolic processes in cancer cells using Raman spectroscopy and microscopy. The technique identified fatty acid synthesis and mono-unsaturation as new metabolic susceptibilities in cancer cells.

New extreme ultraviolet facility opens for use

The new extreme ultraviolet facility allows for investigation of time-dependent phenomena and reveals details of biological or physical samples with unprecedented clarity. It offers ultrashort pulses with high frequencies, useful for probing fast phenomena and investigating the structure and chemical properties of matter.

Cannabis use for menopause symptom management

A new study finds that over half of women with menopause symptoms in Northern California are using cannabis to manage hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia. The study also shows that more than a quarter of participants express interest in trying cannabis for menopause symptom management.

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.

USC-led study traces the evolution of gill covers

A new USC-led study identified a critical genetic modification that enabled the emergence of gill covers in early vertebrates, allowing them to become top predators. The study found that changes in a gene called Pou3f3 led to the development of gill covers in some fish and their absence in others.

Painting a clearer picture of COVID-19

A team of researchers at MU, including an 8th grader and an undergraduate student, identified 3 specific mutations in the COVID-19 virus that may be contributing to its high infectivity in the US. The findings suggest a clearer picture of co-evolving mutations inside the virus.

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.

Study shows heating in vaping device as cause for lung injury

Researchers found significant lung injury from e-cigarette devices with nickel-chromium alloy heating elements, even without nicotine or other additives. The switch in devices occurred when the team's original eC device went off market, revealing severe respiratory distress and lung lesions.

Building walls that will make summer heat waves more bearable

A research team from KIST has developed a new material that can reduce heat penetration through building walls. By applying phase change materials with bubble injections, the indoor temperature can be suppressed and the cooling load of the building can be lowered.

Recording thousands of nerve cell impulses at high resolution

Researchers developed a new generation of microelectrode-array chips that can record electrical activity from up to 20,000 nerve cells simultaneously. The new chip enables comprehensive measurements of more than 1,000 cells at once, suitable for testing the effects of drugs and reducing animal experiments.

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.

The cost of drought in Italy

A new study estimates that droughts in Italy cause losses between 0.55 and 1.75 billion euros, mainly due to agricultural productivity decline. The economic impacts of droughts extend beyond agriculture, affecting the food industry and wholesale services.

In-hospital cardiac arrest in COVID-19

A case series examines outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest among COVID-19 patients, highlighting the severity of the condition. The study reveals that in-hospital cardiac arrest is a rare but life-threatening complication of COVID-19, requiring prompt medical attention.

Stabilizing marine reserves in Great Barrier Reef

Researchers found that a network of marine reserves replenishes exploited fish stocks while minimizing risk to ocean ecosystems. This approach stabilizes reserve performance, providing a reliable source of larval offspring.

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.

Quantum vortex study recognized as finalists for prestigious Eureka Prize

The Australian Quantum Vortex team has been named a finalist in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for their groundbreaking study on turbulence. The team's use of laser technologies to observe quantum origins of turbulence has provided new insights into the behavior of vortices, which influence global weather and flight patterns.

Sediment motion on burned hillslopes

A probabilistic model reveals three distinct regimes of particle motion on burned hillslopes, driven by changes in slope, particle size and surface roughness. Burned slopes are measurably smoother than vegetated slopes, affecting steepland erosion following wildfires.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Oligomeric materials to enhance water splitting

Researchers from ICIQ's Llobet team developed a new oligomeric material as a catalyst for water oxidation, achieving unprecedented current densities. The hybrid material behaves as a rugged and powerful electro-anode, stable at neutral pH and outperforming existing materials.

Looking at evolution's genealogy from home

Münster University researchers develop new software '2-n-way' to compare any genomes, identifying relationships among species or individuals. The tool can analyze genome evolutions, genetic diseases, and sequence any number of genomes.

Researchers discover a new method to regulate cell plasticity

Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new method to regulate cell plasticity by inhibiting the protein CDK8, strengthening gene expression for specific cell identities while reducing alternative identities. This approach holds promise for improving chemotherapy reactions and studying embryonic stem cells.

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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.