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Science News Archive September 2020 - Page 44


Page 44 of 49

'Attack Helicopters' an online sub-culture to watch out for

A new study by Australian researchers examines the 'Attack Helicopter' subculture, a group that uses online platforms to express misogynistic and racist views. The study, which analyzed data from over 12,000 Australians, found that this group displays more aggressive behavior towards non-binary gender politics than trolls.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalFirst Monday·DateSep 3, 2020

Seeing progress

Scientists have created a model that replicates the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease with no current treatment. By understanding how RPE cells respond to stress and changes in gene expression, researchers can now test potential therapeutics for dry AMD.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 3, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study in half a million adults with overweight or obesity suggests benefit of weight loss on serious health problems

A study of over 550,000 adults in the UK found that losing an average of 13% of body weight reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%-44%, sleep apnoea by 22%-27%, high blood pressure by 18%-25%, and dyslipidaemia by 20-22%. The study suggests that intentional weight loss can markedly reduce disease risk in people with obes...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateSep 3, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Novel insights of how prostate cancer causes secondary tumors

A new study by Umeå University researchers sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer cell mobilization. They found that an amino acid in TGF-β signalling molecule Smad7 enables cancer cells to spread and form life-threatening metastases.

SourceUmea University·JournaliScience·DateSep 3, 2020

True size of prehistoric mega-shark finally revealed

A new study led by Swansea University and the University of Bristol has revealed the size of Megalodon, including its massive fins. The shark's estimated body length is 16 meters, with a head diameter of 4.65 meters.

SourceSwansea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 3, 2020

Megafire does not deter Yosemite's spotted owls

Researchers found that Yosemite's Spotted Owl numbers and nesting rates remained stable after the Rim Fire, which burned one-third of their habitat in 2013. The owls' ability to thrive despite the fire can be attributed to the park's unique history and management strategy.

SourceThe Institute for Bird Populations·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateSep 3, 2020

Is consciousness continuous or discrete? Maybe it's both, argue researchers

A two-stage model integrates continuous processing with discrete conscious moments, resolving the 1,500-year-old question of whether consciousness is continuous or discrete. This new framework offers a fresh perspective on information processing and could revolutionize fields like neuroscience, psychology, and computer vision.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateSep 3, 2020
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 eyes typhoon Haishen's 10 mile-wide eye

Typhoon Haishen has a 10 nautical-mile wide eye surrounded by hundreds of miles of thunderstorms, intensifying to 130 knots with forecast landfall in South Korea. NASA's Terra satellite captures visible images revealing deep convection and spiral banding.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 3, 2020

Editing the immune response could make gene therapy more effective

Researchers created a system that uses CRISPR to briefly suppress genes related to AAV antibody production, allowing the virus to deliver its cargo unimpeded. The study shows promise for improving gene therapy's effectiveness and preventing or treating sepsis in mice.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

Bronchitis as a child predicts worse lung health in middle age

People who had bronchitis at least once before the age of seven are more likely to develop lung problems in later life. Childhood bronchitis was linked to increased risks of pneumonia and asthma in middle age, with stronger associations found for those with more frequent episodes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

Innovative biocontainment unit shows promise to protect healthcare workers

A team of researchers developed an individual biocontainment unit using negative pressure to filter out viral particles, preventing environmental contamination. The device was tested with over 99.99% of virus-sized aerosols trapped, making it safer for healthcare workers.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateSep 3, 2020

New understanding of electrolyte additives will improve dye-sensitised solar cells

Dye-sensitised solar cells can perform more consistently in low-light conditions thanks to improved understanding of electrolyte additives. Researchers have found that certain molecules, such as 4-tert-butylpyridine and 1-methyl-benzimidazole, are crucial to suppressing recombination losses and maximizing efficiency.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 3, 2020

Attacking tumors from the inside

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered two experimental drugs that can suppress the growth and spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by affecting its blood vessels, oxygen levels, and other environmental factors. The findings highlight the potential of these drugs for NSCLC treatment.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 3, 2020

Cellular roadmaps predict body's coronavirus vulnerability

Researchers at Cornell University developed a comprehensive map of coronavirus entry factors, predicting which tissues and cell types are most vulnerable to infection. The study's findings support emerging clinical data on SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect various organs, including the intestines, kidney, and placenta.

SourceCornell University·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 3, 2020

Global health experts propose ethical framework for vaccine allocation

A new Fair Priority Model proposes mitigating three types of COVID-19 harms: death, organ damage, healthcare strain, and economic destruction. The model aims to benefit people and limit harm while prioritizing the disadvantaged and giving equal moral concern to all individuals.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 3, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Social experiences impact zebrafish from an early age

Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown found that social experiences during the first week of development impact zebrafish behaviour at an early larval stage. Isolated larvae showed stronger escape swims in response to local water vibrations, indicating a lasting effect.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 3, 2020

Financial strains significantly raise risk of suicide attempts

A new study from Duke University Medical Center finds that financial strains such as high debt, low income, and unemployment are associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. The study, conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the need to consider financial stressors in mental health interventions.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 3, 2020

The Lancet: Many countries falling behind on global commitments to tackling premature deaths from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, lung cancer and heart disease

The Lancet report highlights that many countries are falling behind on their commitments to reduce premature deaths from chronic diseases. Despite a decline in death rates from some diseases over the past decade, others such as diabetes and lung cancer are not showing sufficient progress. The report warns that if current trends continu...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 3, 2020

Quntao Zhuang receives DARPA Young Faculty Award

Quntao Zhuang, a University of Arizona electrical and computer engineer, has received the DARPA Young Faculty Award to improve the precision of quantum sensor networks. His research focuses on enhancing the ability of these sensors to perform in noisy environments.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateSep 3, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Start here to make a protein

The structure of the mRNA initiation complex provides new insights into cancer and disease processes. The discovery proposes a model for how mRNA is pulled through the ribosome for scanning, revealing that start codons need to be sufficiently far from the front end of the mRNA.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateSep 3, 2020

New model explains when the brain becomes aware of information

Researchers propose a new model explaining how consciousness arises, suggesting that the brain processes and integrates information for up to half a second before becoming aware of it. This counterintuitive view challenges the idea of continuous perception and provides insights into how people experience reality.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateSep 3, 2020

Weight gainers more likely to underestimate their true body size

A new study found that people with obesity who gain weight tend to perceive their body size as smaller than it actually is. Despite improvements in accuracy over time for those maintaining a stable weight, the degree of body image distortion remained significant in weight gainers.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateSep 3, 2020

Battery-free Game Boy runs forever

Researchers at Northwestern University and TU Delft have developed a battery-free, energy-harvesting Game Boy that can play games from original cartridges, reducing the need for batteries. The device harnesses energy from solar panels and user button presses to enable indefinite gameplay.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

How to spot patients most likely to die from blood infections

A team of scientists has identified a collective signature of proteins and metabolites that can predict who is at highest risk of dying from the infection. The biomarkers, including lower levels of glycosylated fetuin A and higher levels of serum protein carbamylation, were associated with death due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateSep 3, 2020

Hearing loss in naked mole-rats is an advantage, not a hardship

Researchers found that naked mole-rats have poor hearing due to six mutations in genes associated with hearing loss. Without cochlear amplification, the constant noise they produce doesn't harm their hair cells, making this adaptation beneficial for their survival.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 3, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

ERC Starting Grant for Sara Buson

Sara Buson aims to confirm blazars as the most important extragalactic neutrino sources, revolutionizing our understanding of blazar astrophysics. She will analyze a large sample of observations and physical data to establish a new framework for multimessenger studies.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

Towards new algorithms and discretization

Professor Dietmar Gallistl from Friedrich Schiller University Jena aims to develop new algorithms and discretization techniques for fully nonlinear equations, with potential applications in financial mathematics and geometry. The project will focus on minimizing computational effort while achieving accurate approximations.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·DateSep 3, 2020

Two ERC Starting Grants for MDC scientists

Two MDC scientists, Dr. Kathrin de la Rosa and Dr. Ilaria Piazza, have been awarded European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants to fund their innovative projects in proteomics and immunology.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

Quantum leap for speed limit bounds

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for calculating the upper bound of speed limits in quantum matter, which produces more accurate results in some cases. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of quantum computing and materials science, as well as more precise numerical algorithms.

SourceRice University·JournalPRX Quantum·DateSep 3, 2020

Revolutionary quantum breakthrough paves way for safer online communication

A team of scientists has created a unique prototype that can transform how we communicate online by deploying a new technique harnessing the laws of physics. The quantum network, scalable and relatively cheap, could secure people's online communication and pave the way for widespread rollout.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 2, 2020
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.

Globalization is reweaving the web of life

Researchers found that introduced species have increased mutualistic relationships seven-fold over the past 75 years, reducing ecosystem stability. As geographic isolation breaks down, regions with distinct species combinations are linked, leading to the loss of unique co-evolutionary trajectories.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2020
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.

Researchers warn of food-web threats from common insecticides

The widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides poses a risk to the environment and biodiversity due to their ability to spread through the food chain. By transmitting toxins through honeydew and other organic matter, these insecticides can harm pollinators, predators, and other organisms beyond their intended targets.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2020

These lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease

A systematic review of over 100 studies found that a more vegetable-rich diet, higher potassium intake, and reduced salt consumption can lower the risk of chronic kidney disease. Adhering to these recommendations could reduce the risk by 14-22%.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 2, 2020