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Science News Archive September 2020 - Page 40


Page 40 of 49

Medicaid expansion improved insurance stability for low-income pregnant women

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Medicaid expansion reduces the percentage of low-income women going uninsured or changing insurance plans during pregnancy and postpartum. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid can improve access to care and reduce adverse events for pregnant women.

A pain reliever that alters perceptions of risk

A new study suggests that acetaminophen makes risky activities seem less dangerous, leading to increased risk-taking. The study found that participants who took the pain reliever rated activities like bungee jumping and starting a new career as less risky than those who took a placebo.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateSep 8, 2020

Scientists develop low-cost chip to detect presence and quantity of COVID-19 antibodies

Researchers at OIST Graduate University developed a rapid, reliable, and low-cost antibody test using lab-on-a-chip technology. The device can detect the presence and quantity of COVID-19 antibodies in diluted blood plasma within 30 minutes, making it feasible for nationwide testing.

Suicide on screen: Getting the message right can support better mental health outcomes

Research suggests that media portrayals of suicide can increase suicidal ideation and behavior if not done sensitively, but also highlight the potential for positive outcomes when portrayed in a supportive manner. Filmmakers have a significant responsibility to ensure their content does not harm viewers, particularly those with a histo...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalHealth & Social Care in the Community·DateSep 8, 2020

Funding flows into liquid fuel strategy

Rice University engineer Haotian Wang has been awarded a four-year, $2 million collaborative grant by the National Science Foundation to explore converting waste carbon dioxide into pure liquid fuels. The project aims to develop a modular electrochemical system that can provide a sustainable and negative-carbon manufacturing path.

Plastic can be sustainable

A research project at Friedrich Schiller University Jena aims to develop recyclable plastic materials that can be recycled and reused. The team, led by Prof. Ulrich S. Schubert, plans to study fibre-reinforced materials and nanocomposites with potential applications in aircraft, tennis rackets, and other industries.

Is APM the best way to evaluate NBA players?

A recent study by Syracuse University researchers challenges the use of Adjusted Plus-Minus (APM) as a reliable metric for evaluating NBA player performance. The study finds that teammates' quality affects a player's APM score, suggesting that APM does not accurately account for individual contributions.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 7, 2020

Producing leather-like materials from fungi

Researchers from the University of Vienna have developed biodegradable, CO2-neutral leather substitutes from fungi, using low-cost agricultural by-products. These materials exhibit comparable properties to traditional leather and hold significant potential as an environmentally friendly alternative.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Sustainability·DateSep 7, 2020

First 'plug and play' brain prosthesis demoed in paralyzed person

A team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, has made a significant breakthrough in developing a 'plug and play' brain prosthesis that enables individuals with paralysis to control devices using their brain activity. The device uses machine learning algorithms to match brain signals to desired movements, allo...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 7, 2020

Could singing spread COVID-19?

Researchers at Lund University studied the amount of aerosol particles and virus particles emitted by singers during music tests, finding that loud and consonant-rich singing spreads more aerosols. Safe singing practices like social distancing, good ventilation, and face masks can reduce the risk of transmission.

SourceLund University·JournalAerosol Science and Technology·DateSep 7, 2020

A difficult year for forests, fields and meadows

Extensive measurement data reveals severe impact of heat and drought on lower-altitude ecosystems, while higher-altitude ecosystems benefited from warmer temperatures. Productivity fell by an average of 20% in mixed forest and meadows at lower altitudes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateSep 7, 2020

Why rats would win Australian survivor

A new study by Flinders University and The University of Queensland reveals that rodents' skull shapes are similar across habitats, contradicting expectations. This conservation of shape may be due to the specialization of rodent jaws, allowing for a versatile arrangement that discourages evolutionary change.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateSep 7, 2020