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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 104


Page 104 of 510

Naloxone access doesn’t make heroin seem less risky

A new study suggests that increased access to naloxone has not changed people's perception of the risks associated with heroin use. Researchers found that individuals who used heroin and those living in areas with easy or restricted access to naloxone both perceived heroin as a high-risk substance.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAddiction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2021

A new framework for protecting mental health in cities

Researchers from UvA's Centre for Urban Mental Health propose a new conceptual framework to understand the dynamic interplay between urban factors and mental health. The framework identifies key factors influencing urban environments and their impact on mental well-being, including air pollution, noise, and social cohesion.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 7, 2021

Referential alarm calls increase vigilance in brood parasite hosts

Researchers found that female yellow warblers who heard referential 'seet' calls the previous day would sit on their nest for a longer period and be less active, suggesting they recalled past events and engaged in mental time travel to boost vigilance. This behavior may indicate a heightened state of alert or cognitive processing.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 7, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

For Black students, unfairly harsh discipline can lead to lower grades

A study by the American Psychological Association found that Black students are more likely to be suspended for minor infractions, harming their academic success. This bias in school discipline can damage students' perceptions of their school and lower their grades years later.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 7, 2021

Nerve repair, with help from stem cells

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers uses human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells to guide nerve growth and regeneration, achieving similar results as traditional autograft procedures. The approach has potential for treating larger nerve gaps, including those resulting from oral cancer surgery.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·Journalnpj Regenerative Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Deep-learning algorithm aims to accelerate protein engineering

A new deep-learning algorithm, ECNet, has been developed to accelerate protein engineering by predicting the fitness of all possible sequences. By incorporating evolutionary history, ECNet outperforms current methods on several datasets and identifies novel mutants with improved fitness.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 7, 2021

Atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones with isotopic differences at the ortho position

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology synthesized atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones, showing unprecedented isotopic atropisomerism due to rotational restriction around an N-Ar bond. The findings support the formation of diastereomers and have potential applications in pharmaceuticals.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Cracking the code of cellular defense

Purdue University researchers are exploring how cells defend themselves from chemical or mechanical attack and repair their damage with the help of biochemical and mechanical inputs and reactions. The goal is to develop new ways to address human health and longevity by using AI in biology.

SourcePurdue University·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Autistic children struggle with hidden emotions

Research published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that autistic children with difficulties integrating narrative context with facial expressions, leading to inaccurate emotion recognition. This highlights the importance of contextual cues in social exchanges for effectively managing interactions.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Artificial sweeteners disrupt bacterial communication and may influence gut microbiota, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev scientists find

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered that artificial sweeteners can significantly impair bacterial communication. Three out of six tested FDA-approved sweeteners were found to inhibit quorum sensing, a key process for bacteria to communicate with each other.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Unprecedented rise of heat and rainfall extremes in observational data

Heat extremes have increased by 90-fold, with 3-sigma events affecting 9% of land area; record daily rainfall events also increased, with 1 in 4 records attributed to climate change. The small temperature increase has pushed up extreme weather substantially.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Coming in from the cold

A new locally acting treatment aims to reduce the severity of post-transplant ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) without affecting the immune system. The treatment targets specific neoepitopes exposed on injured donor organs, reducing the risk of organ rejection and improving transplant outcomes.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

More Swedes had COVID jab when they were paid

An international study by Lund University found that offering a small reward of $24 increased COVID-19 vaccination rates among Swedes by 4 percentage points. The vaccination rate rose to 76 percent in the group offered payment, compared to 72 percent in those not receiving incentives.

SourceLund University·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

International refugees: From uncertain pasts to promising futures

A new report from the University of South Australia reveals that refugee children are more likely to succeed academically if their parents share their story and their school empowers them. Schools with bilingual staff also show promise in building strong parent-school relationships.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·TypeCase study·DateOct 7, 2021

Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 share a genetic risk factor

A UCL-led research team has identified an anti-viral gene that increases the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and severe Covid-19. The study found that a specific variant of the OAS1 gene amplifies inflammation in the brain, highlighting the importance of the immune system in both conditions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBrain·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Non-English-language science could help save biodiversity

A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that science written in languages other than English may hold untapped information crucial to the conservation of global biodiversity. The research analyzed over 400,000 peer-reviewed papers and identified 1,234 studies providing scientific knowledge on saving species and ecosystems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 7, 2021

New insights into actions of insulin and their potential impact in treating diabetes

Research highlights the importance of normal insulin cycles for metabolic health, including better response to fed and fasted insulin inputs. It also uncovers mechanisms regulating robustness of insulin signaling, identifying potential novel regulatory components for therapeutic interventions.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ten millennia of hepatitis B virus evolution

A new study reveals hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been infecting humans for millennia, tracing its evolution from prehistory to the present. The research highlights HBV's dispersal routes and shifts in viral diversity mirroring human migrations and demographic events.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

Fresh hope for improving treatments for deadly lung disease: Trinity College research

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that lactate can influence cells in the lung environment to support immune defenses against infection while limiting collateral damage. Lactate may hold therapeutic potential as a host-directed therapy for diseases like TB and COVID-19, which cause destruction of pulmonary tissue.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 7, 2021

Refuting a 70-year approach to predicting material microstructure

Researchers have found that a conventional model for predicting material microstructure does not apply to polycrystalline materials. They used near-field high energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) to study grain boundaries, revealing that the model's predictions are inconsistent with experimental data.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rover images confirm Jezero crater is an ancient Martian lake

The Perseverance rover's first scientific analysis confirms Jezero crater was a calm lake for most of its existence, interrupted by flash floods that carried huge boulders downstream. The findings provide clues to Martian climate evolution and offer opportunities to search for signs of ancient life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

Active listening by managers can reduce employees' feelings of job insecurity

A new study found that active listening by managers can improve employees' sense of personal control over their careers and reduce anxiety about potential job loss. By increasing active listening, managers can create a safe space for workers to verbalize and process their experiences, enabling them to feel more in control and valued.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021

Curtin researchers help date the youngest rocks ever found on the Moon

Curtin University researchers have helped determine the age of the youngest rocks ever found on the Moon, revealing they are approximately two billion years old. This discovery provides new calibration points for cratering chronology, enabling more accurate age dating across planetary surfaces.

SourceCurtin University·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Kids with MIS-C mount normal T cell response to COVID-19

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine report that children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have normal T cell responses to the COVID-19 virus, contrary to previous hypotheses. This suggests that MIS-C may not be caused by an abnormal immune response to the virus.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·DateOct 7, 2021

Tracking how the environment influences circadian rhythms

Researcher Jennifer Hurley is using in-vivo experimentation and big data analytics to identify environmental cues that tune the circadian clock's control over metabolism. Her study aims to find genes responsive to environmental signals, such as nutrients, to understand how environment affects sleep-wake cycle.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Androgen-producing gut microbes can derail prostate cancer treatment

A study by Nicolò Pernigoni and colleagues found that androgen-producing gut microbes in patients with advanced prostate cancer can lead to sustained tumor growth. Treating these microbes with antibiotics or fecal transplants from sensitive individuals may delay ADT resistance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

Long-term exposure to permissible concentrations of air pollution linked with increased mortality risk

A large national study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that long-term exposure to permissible concentrations of air pollution increases mortality risk, particularly among elderly people and those living in lower-income areas. The study suggests current air pollution limits are inadequate to protect vulnerable groups.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021

Researchers reach quantum networking milestone in real-world environment

Experts successfully connect quantum computers and sensors on a practical scale, enabling entanglement-based quantum communications. The team demonstrated scalability of entanglement-based protocols across three remote nodes using flexible grid bandwidth provisioning.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPRX Quantum·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

COVID-19 and plastics: How the pandemic highlights the need for sustainable waste disposal

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plastic pollution, with global waste generation increasing by twice the amount in 2020 compared to 2019. To address this issue, researchers advocate for a transition to novel sustainable practices and technologies, including biodegradable plastics and efficient recycling processes.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 7, 2021

The climate-driven mass extinction no one had seen

African mammals suffered huge losses around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, similar to those experienced by European and Asian species. The study used fossil data from multiple sites in Africa to build evolutionary trees for five mammal groups, revealing a drastic extinction event followed by recovery with new adaptations.

SourceDuke University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021

Elastic polymer that is both stiff and tough, resolves long-standing quandary

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed an elastomer that is both stiff and tough, resolving the long-standing conundrum in polymer science. The new material has high toughness, strength, and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications such as tissue regeneration, bio...

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Hopkins Med newsletter 7

Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateOct 7, 2021

‘Gut bugs’ can drive prostate cancer growth and treatment resistance

A new study found that common gut bacteria can drive prostate cancer growth and treatment resistance by providing an alternative source of growth-promoting androgens. Researchers identified specific bacterial 'fingerprints' linked to prostate cancer outcome, which could help identify men who could benefit from strategies to manipulate ...

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Social distancing: Not just for humans

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that respiratory diseases can spread rapidly within wild mountain gorilla groups but are less likely to spread between neighboring groups. The study suggests that strategies preventing initial transmission into a group may be most effective in limiting disease spread.

SourceDian Fossey Gorilla Fund International·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021

Researchers identify new drug target for blood cancer, potentially solid tumors

Researchers have discovered a new drug target for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other hematologic malignancies, which are sensitive to MEK inhibitors. The study found that mutations affecting RNA splicing alter cells to develop MDS and solid tumors, providing a potential new approach to treating this rare blood cancer.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Samples returned by Chang’e-5 indicate late volcanism on the Moon

Researchers analyzed Chang'e-5 samples and found that the basalt is approximately two billion years old, indicating late volcanic activity on the Moon. This discovery provides calibration for the crater-counting technique used to date lunar surfaces and requires alternative explanations, such as tidal heating.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

Donation experiment: COVID-19 only slightly displaces other concerns

Researchers from the University of Innsbruck found that Covid-19 pandemic did not completely displace other social and political concerns. Participants in a donation experiment donated more to causes when Covid-19 incidence was high, indicating a correlation between pandemic presence and willingness to donate.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Elucidating the brain's white matter

Researchers at Hebrew University developed a novel approach to mapping brain white matter fiber architecture using Nissl staining. The technique, called Nissl-ST, reveals the hidden patterns and organization of glial cells in white matter, opening new avenues for studying brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 7, 2021

Study reveals impact of wild meat consumption on greenhouse gas emissions

A new study found that consuming sustainably sourced wild meat instead of domesticated livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions and retains precious tropical forest systems. This can lead to significant financial incentives for forest conservation through carbon credit revenues, totaling millions of dollars per year.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Perovskite solar cells: Defects trap charge carriers - and release them again

Researchers have characterized five different defect types in perovskite solar cells, revealing that a large proportion of defects release trapped charge carriers. This finding may explain the high efficiencies of MAPI perovskites and paves the way for optimizing these materials with improved stability.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Small molecules with a dual function

Researchers discovered a small RNA molecule that regulates both the production of the cholera toxin and the metabolism of the cholera bacterium. This finding provides a new target for developing treatments against cholera and has implications for biotechnological applications.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Circuit approach could improve deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease

A new deep brain stimulation (DBS) method has been developed by researchers using optogenetics and machine learning to target specific neural circuits in the brain. This approach produced long-lasting effects in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, with therapeutic benefits that lasted on average 4.5-fold longer than conventional DBS.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2021

Screen time linked to risk of myopia in young people

A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health found a link between screen time and myopia in children and young adults. High levels of smart device exposure increased the risk of short-sightedness by up to 80%, according to researchers at Anglia Ruskin University.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 7, 2021