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Science News Archive 2021


Page 123 of 510

Synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia

A new study found that schizophrenia is associated with a loss of excitation but an increase in inhibition, resulting in hallucinations. The researchers used EEG data from 107 participants to demonstrate decreased synaptic gain, which may guide pharmacological and neurostimulation treatments.

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.

Reprogramming cancer genes to kill cancer

The University of Helsinki-led research project partners with UCSF to develop new therapies targeting MYC cancer gene vulnerabilities. The goal is to create next-generation cancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Vampire bats may coordinate with ‘friends’ over a bite to eat

Researchers tracked 50 vampire bats, including those with social relationships, to find that they hunt together and coordinate their efforts. The study suggests that forming friendships in the roost can create more interdependence among socially bonded bats, increasing their success at obtaining blood meals.

Hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccine for children highest among Black parents

A recent survey found that nearly half of Black parents (48%) were hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine for their child. Researchers attribute this hesitancy to a lack of trust in certain sources of information. To address this, targeted outreach efforts are needed to reach these vulnerable populations.

Intensified water cycle slows down global warming, new study finds

A new study led by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that changes in ocean salinity due to a more intensified water cycle lead to reduced surface warming. This phenomenon enhances ocean heat uptake into the deep ocean, moderating the pace of global warming.

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.

Why don’t adrenal gland metastases respond to immunotherapy?

Researchers discovered that adrenal gland metastases are unresponsive to checkpoint inhibitors due to the secretion of corticosteroids. Surgical removal is the current best course of action for patients with these metastases. The study's authors hope to develop a nonsurgical treatment option in the future.

A 15-user quantum secure direct communication network

A new quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) network has been demonstrated by a team of scientists, enabling 15 users to communicate securely over long distances. The network uses time-energy entanglement and sum-frequency generation (SFG), achieving a fidelity of greater than 95% for entangled states shared between users.

Can sustainability standards effectively mitigate food system challenges?

A new study reviews sustainability standards for crop and livestock production, finding moderate positive effects on the environment through reduced agrichemical use. However, economic benefits vary by region and standard, and assessments are complicated. The study also raises concerns about labor practices and inequalities in the rura...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Diversity matters

Researchers found that high biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions by 20%, with environmental heterogeneity significantly boosting this positive impact. Species richness was more important for ecosystem functioning than species turnover in African ecosystems along Mount Kilimanjaro's elevational gradient.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Life support cooked up from lunar rocks

Engineers have successfully extracted water and oxygen from lunar soil using a two-step process, which could support future human exploration of the Moon. The system uses a mineral mixture that mimics lunar soil and produces gases through electrolysis, making it scalable and self-sustained.

Ageing the unageable: UEA researchers develop new way to age lobsters

Scientists at UEA have identified a way to determine the age of lobsters using DNA. The method is based on quantifying DNA changes that accumulate with age within a lobster. This breakthrough could help manage lobster fisheries more sustainably by providing accurate estimates of lobster ages.

An estrogen receptor that promotes cancer also causes drug resistance

UCSF researchers found that Erα plays a crucial role in overcoming innate anti-cancer mechanisms and developing resistance to treatment. Inhibiting Erα RNA-binding activity restored tamoxifen's potency against breast cancer tumors, making the cells more sensitive to stress and apoptosis.

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.

Future fertility of obese boys may be protected by early weight loss

A study found that early weight loss in obese boys can improve reproductive function and reverse alterations in Leydig cell function, which could help prevent future fertility problems. The research suggests that managing childhood obesity may be necessary to prevent reproductive issues and lower the risk of other diseases.

Effect of micellization studied for inhibition of hydrate formation

Researchers from Kazan Federal University discovered that micelle-forming polyurethane inhibitors can effectively inhibit hydrate formation. The study found that the presence of surface-active properties and ability to form micelles can hinder hydrate formation, providing a new mechanism for gas storage and flow assurance.

Mapping words to colors

A team of researchers developed an algorithm that infers the communicative needs of different linguistic communities regarding colors. The study found that warm hues like reds and yellows have a higher demand for language, while less prominent colors are underrepresented.

Holding algorithms responsible in public policy

A team of researchers, led by University of Houston associate professor Ryan Kennedy, has received a $750,000 NSF grant to create an algorithm-accountability benchmark. The project aims to establish general ways of analyzing algorithms and studying their impact on public policy decisions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

A call for research on food insecurity among migrants on the move

Food insecurity among migrants on the move is a pressing issue, with limited scientific literature documenting its prevalence and severity. A new study proposes a definition of migrants in active mobility and recommends interdisciplinary actions to inform policy and strategies guaranteeing access to food.

Eliminating beef cattle pregnancy loss with CRISPR/Cas9 technology

A Texas A&M AgriLife Research project aims to eliminate beef cattle pregnancy loss using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The researchers are studying the role of glycoproteins in embryo loss, with a focus on gene knockout technology, and aim to develop management strategies to prevent reproductive inefficiency in the beef industry.

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.

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.

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.

How robots can tell how clean is ‘clean’

SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.

Improving gender diversity in leadership by ‘opting-out’ of the default

Researchers found that women were less likely to participate in leadership selection under the 'opt-in' mechanism, but this gap disappeared when competitiveness was removed. The 'opt-out' mechanism effectively eliminates gender gaps and helps employees avoid stress associated with negotiating for leadership roles.

Peering into the Moon's shadows with AI

A machine learning algorithm called HORUS has improved the resolution of images of lunar shadowed regions, allowing scientists to better understand the geology and potential hazards. The algorithm achieved a resolution of about 1-2 meters per pixel, revealing small geological structures such as boulders and mini-craters.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hopkins Med news update

Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.

Fiber-tip polymer clamped-beam probe for high-sensitivity nanoforce measurements

A novel fiber-tip-polymer clamped-beam probe micro-force sensor was developed using femtosecond-laser-induced two-photon polymerization technique. The sensor exhibited an ultrahigh force sensitivity of 1.51 nm/μN and a detection limit of 54.9 nN, opening avenues for high-precision biomedical and material science examination.

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.

Therapy using dual immune system cells effectively controls neuroblastoma

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UNC School of Medicine developed a dual-threat CAR-T immunotherapy that effectively controls neuroblastoma in animal models. The new therapy targets two antigens on cancer cells, restricting tumor regrowth and preventing evasion by immune cells.

Polarisation optics for biomedical and clinical applications

Polarisation optics offers sensitive sub-cellular structure analysis and compatible imaging/sensing for in vivo applications. The Stokes-Mueller formalism and Mueller matrix describe polarisation states, enabling various measurement approaches and information extraction techniques.

Antibody-producing b cells may be "predestined" for their fates

A study by Weill Cornell Medicine identified Oct2 as the key determinant of B-cell humoral immune response, suggesting that the destiny of antibody-producing cells is predetermined. This discovery may lead to new insights into tissue development and cancer development.

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.

Are too many Phase III cancer clinical trials set up to fail?

A recent study published in JNCCN found that four out of five cancer therapies tested in Phase III trials did not achieve clinically-meaningful benefits in prolonging survival. The researchers analyzed 362 industry-sponsored trials and found that 87% were either false-positive or true-negative for meeting overall survival goals.

Brought into line

Researchers from FAU and TU Darmstadt have developed a method to control electron pulses over long distances using 'alternating phase focusing', which can be used to guide electrons in three dimensions. The technology has the potential to miniaturize particle accelerators, making them more efficient and powerful.

Phosphatidylglycerol-DNA complex shown as a stable structure

Researchers reveal stable phosphatidylglycerol-DNA complex formation with strong van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions. The complex's structural parameters are determined, providing insight into the differences between DNA-phospholipid interaction and fatty acid binding.