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COVID-19 infection detected in breath tests

A new study from the University of Gothenburg detects SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles in microscopically small fluid droplets exhaled by patients with COVID-19. The findings show that a few breaths are sufficient to detect viral RNA, offering potential for easy and convenient breath tests.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInfluenza and Other Respiratory Viruses·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 22, 2022

The paradox of big data spoils vaccination surveys

Researchers from Harvard University and others have found that large-scale COVID-19 vaccination surveys were off by up to 17 percentage points due to systematic biases in the data. The 'Big Data Paradox' highlights how big data sets can minimize one type of error while magnifying another, leading to misleading results.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2021

New research lifts the lid on cardiac microvascular dysfunction and could help many patients with unexplained heart disease

A new study found that 44% of micro-arteries from patients had abnormal myogenic tone, associated with excessive caldesmon presence and poor cell alignment. This abnormality affects blood supply within the heart and other organs, impacting quality of life and life expectancy.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 9, 2021

Above the noise

Scientists from Osaka University used machine learning methods to enhance signal-to-noise ratio in nanopore data, enabling higher precision measurements. The 'Noise2Noise' technique improved resolution of noisy runs, revealing faint features hidden by random fluctuations.

SourceOsaka University·JournalSmall Methods·DateMay 14, 2021

Self-swabbing tests for COVID-19 accurate and safe, Stanford study reports

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that self-collected nasal swab samples yielded results as accurate as those collected by healthcare workers, paving the way for widespread at-home testing. The study also explored how long infected individuals remain contagious and provided insights into viral shedding patterns.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJun 12, 2020

Going super small to get super strong metals

Scientists have discovered that ultra-strong metals can be created by reducing grain size to below 10 nanometers, contrary to previous assumptions. The study found that high pressure overcomes grain sliding effects, leading to extreme strengthening in finely grained samples.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2020

Using Facebook data as a real-time census

A study by University of Washington researchers found that Facebook data can be used to estimate migration statistics more accurately than the US Census Bureau. However, biases and limitations in the data must be considered when combining Facebook and American Community Survey information.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateOct 12, 2017

Uncertain about health outcomes, male stroke survivors more likely to suffer depression than females

A new study published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation reveals that male stroke survivors are more prone to depression than females, primarily due to uncertainty about their illness outcomes. Health ambiguity is significantly associated with greater depression for both sexes, but the association is stronger for men.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateSep 12, 2012

New technique enables study of 'challenging' proteins

Researchers have developed a new technique that can identify protein structures in just hours, revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. The enhanced NMR spectroscopy method using dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) enables significant structural data to be gained from small biological samples.

SourceUniversity of Hull·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 14, 2011

Quartz crystal microbalances enable new microscale analytic technique

A new chemical analysis technique developed by NIST uses quartz crystal microbalances to test the purity of small material samples. This technique measures reaction energy needed to decompose or oxidize a sample with heat, offering a more sensitive approach than conventional methods, enabling analysis of nanoparticles and thin films.

Anthrax dectectors are coming

A researcher has developed a new detector that can identify airborne anthrax and other biological particles in under 30 minutes. The device uses lasers and acoustic sensors to detect the presence of microorganisms, offering significant improvements over existing methods.

'Six degrees' method samples hidden populations

A new sociological sampling method, called respondent-driven sampling, can identify hard-to-reach groups. By analyzing the connections between individuals in a group, researchers can gather information and correct for biases to obtain a representative sample of populations such as drug users, jazz musicians, and other marginalized groups.

SourceCornell University·JournalPoetics·DateNov 6, 2000

Nanofabricated 'gel' separates DNA

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a nanofabricated device that can separate DNA fragments by length in as little as 15-30 minutes, compared to the traditional method which takes 12-24 hours. The device uses alternating deep and shallow sections to propel DNA strands through it, allowing for faster separation and analysis.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMay 11, 2000

New chemical instrument uses advanced missile technology

The new system can analyze many samples within seconds, nearly 5,000 times faster than other technology in screening samples of catalysts that react with liquids. It will speed up the analysis of combinatorial chemistry samples and reveal molecular mechanisms involved in gas-solid catalysis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Combinatorial Chemistry·DateMay 1, 2000

A Christmas Present For The 21st Century - USMP-4 On Shuttle Ends Near-Perfect Flight

The USMP-4 mission successfully delivered a haul of science and samples to help scientists investigate the era of International Space Station. The mission made significant contributions to materials science, solidification processes, and ultrasmall electronics, with results expected to have practical applications in industries like eye...