Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2021


Page 117 of 510

How our unique brain takes shape during mid-pregnancy

Researchers found increased retinoic acid levels in the prefrontal cortex during mid-pregnancy, leading to the development of unique brain properties. The study suggests a link between RA, CBLN2 gene expression and human-specific cognitive abilities.

Zebrafish predict the future to avoid virtual danger

Researchers discovered zebrafish neurons that monitor prediction errors to efficiently avoid danger, creating a 'hazard map' in the brain. This study sheds light on brain circuits shared across vertebrates, including humans.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Science backs nature as key to children’s health

A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.

Circular economy is not the panacea many had hoped for

A team of researchers from Lund University critiques the circular economy, highlighting inconsistencies and hidden assumptions in its supposed benefits. They propose a more modest approach to circularity, focusing on concrete problems rather than presenting it as a panacea.

Wiggling worms suggest link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's

Researchers found that vitamin B12 supplementation improved movement in worms with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, suggesting a potential link between diet and disease progression. The team also discovered that vitamin B12 relies on an enzyme called methionine synthase to work, and its effects are limited to those with dietary deficiencies.

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.

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.

Oncotarget: Treating unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Ablative radioembolization has been found to have a high response rate and promising survival in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The study also showed that the treatment is well-tolerated, with median overall survival not reached at 30 months.

Rare cancer of immune cells linked to gene mutations in bone marrow and smoking

A genetic analysis reveals that a rare type of blood cancer affecting immune T cells may be caused by exposure to smoking and aging-related mutations in blood precursor cells. The study found a potential link between the development of these tumours and second-hand smoke, suggesting cessation may prevent their occurrence.

An ancient disaster

Researchers have found conclusive evidence that a massive cosmic airburst destroyed the biblical city of Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley around 3600 years ago. The impact, which is believed to be equivalent to a 12-megaton explosion, was characterized by temperatures exceeding 2,000°C and the formation of melted metals and glass.

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.

Reducing salt in bread without sacrificing taste

A new study from the University of Illinois explores methods to reduce sodium in bread, including salt reduction, physical modification, sodium replacements, and flavor enhancers. The researchers recommend a combination of these methods for optimal results.

Seven symptoms jointly predict COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers developed a model using data from over 1.1 million volunteers to identify the 7 most informative symptoms for COVID-19 test allocation. The model predicted PCR positivity with high accuracy, resulting in potential 30% to 40% increase in eligible individuals and 70% to 75% detection of positive cases.

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.

Unbreakable glass inspired by seashells

McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.

Study highlights the importance of heart health for preventing diabetes

A new study found that maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and having a healthy body weight can significantly lower the lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged adults. The research included over 5,993 participants and analyzed the relationship between cardiovascular health and genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.

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.

UNLV research bolsters link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease

A study published in Communications Biology reveals that chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes impairs working memory performance by altering the connection between key brain regions. Researchers found that areas critical for forming and retrieving memories were over-connected, leading to errors in remembering correct information.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Glyscend Therapeutics announces initiation of phase 1 clinical trial on the heels of preclinical data presented at EASD 2021 on the metabolic benefits of its oral polymer-based duodenal exclusion therapy

Glyscend Therapeutics has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial in Australia investigating an oral polymer therapy that improves glucose homeostasis with weight loss in nonclinical models. The therapy targets mechanisms underlying bariatric surgery and aims to replicate its benefits without the need for surgery.

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.

Older women more likely to report depressive symptoms than men

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that older women are more likely to report depressive symptoms than men. The study, which tracked data from over 50,000 people between the ages of 45 and 85, suggests that late life is associated with increased depression rates, particularly among females.

Managing teen sexting

A new study of 1328 South Australian high school students aged 13 and 14 found a relatively low proportion admitted to 'sexting' via various electronic mediums. The researchers suggest building a health safety education framework for adolescents to provide skills to navigate pornography as part of sexual education.

Mitigating carbon may have unintended consequences

The study aims to improve understanding of decarbonization's impact on human health, focusing on the US energy, food, and health nexus. It will develop a framework integrating these sectors to identify strategies yielding overall health benefits.

Power of stem cells harnessed to create cartilage tissue

Scientists successfully differentiate embryonic stem cells into cartilage cells and create three-dimensional pieces of cartilage tissue without any synthetic or natural supporting materials. The generated cartilage tissue is structurally and mechanically comparable to normal human cartilage.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Guidelines will boost interventional oncology research

The new guidelines aim to improve scientific reproducibility, accurate comparisons, and avoid misinterpretations in interventional oncology studies. The panel recommended analyzing parameters such as overall survival, disease-free survival, and short-term complications per patient and procedure.

Living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency engineers can only dream about

The living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency that human engineers can only dream about, with optimized mosaics of different sensitivities parsing 40 visual features. The retinas adapt to current conditions and conserve energy by tuning out noise, making them orders of magnitude less power-hungry than smartphone sensors.

Nanoparticles to protect animals from skin parasites

Researchers developed nanoscale insecticidal hair coating for prolonged anti-lice protection, reducing re-treatments and side effects. The coating, formed using halloysite nanotubes, retains its protective properties after washing the animal's hair.

Overcoming challenges to global child and adolescent health

A special issue of PLOS Medicine explores the social determinants of child and adolescent health, including poverty, pollution, and violence. The studies focus on the intersection of child health and challenging environments, highlighting urgent redirective strategies to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

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

Soft pressure sensor breakthrough solves field's most challenging bottleneck

A team of Texas Engineers has developed a hybrid sensing approach that allows the device to possess properties of both piezo-capacitive and piezo-resistive sensors. This breakthrough enables soft pressure sensors to withstand pressure without significant decay in sensitivity, opening up new possibilities for wearable devices.

Tweaking Alloy Microchemistry For Flawless Metal 3D Printing

Researchers at Texas A t&M University have developed a method to create defect-free metal parts using laser powder bed fusion 3D printing. By combining machine learning and single-track experiments, they identified favorable alloy chemistries and process parameters to print parts with uniform properties at the microscale.

Misuse of stimulants linked to other drug abuse

A recent study from the University of Georgia found that college students who misuse stimulant drugs are also likely to engage in heavy drinking and marijuana use. The research suggests a strong behavioral link among polysubstance users, highlighting the need for universities to be aware of the additive health effects of these behaviors.

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.

In tightly controlled study, low-carb diet improves cardiometabolic risk profile

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low-carb diet with high saturated fat levels produced better cardiovascular and metabolic profiles than a low-fat diet. The low-carb diet improved blood lipid profiles, increased adiponectin, and reduced lipoprotein(a), a risk factor for heart disease.

Tracking muscle activity with clothes on your back

Researchers developed a wearable, biocompatible, and low-cost biosensor that measures electromyography signals in muscles. The sensor uses a gold-silver nanocomposite printed onto fabric, providing a comfortable and effective way to track muscle activity.

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.

MU researchers identify mutations of Delta, Delta Plus variants

Researchers identified five specific mutations prevalent in Delta Plus infections compared to Delta, highlighting the need for expanded antiviral tools. The findings provide clues on how the virus mutates and evade antibodies produced from previous COVID-19 infections or vaccinations.

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.