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Science News Archive 2021


Page 146 of 510

'Flying' geckos use their heads and tails to crash-land safely

A study published in Nature's Communications Biology reveals how geckos steer in mid-air and stabilise landings using their heads and tails. Researchers found that a shorter tail length results in increased adhesive foot force, crucial for successful vertical landing.

Experimental opioid vaccine is being tested at Columbia

Researchers are developing a vaccine to prevent oxycodone use disorder, which affects half of those treated with existing medications. The experimental vaccine has shown promise in preclinical studies and is now being tested in a phase 1a/1b clinical trial at Columbia University.

Babies wanted: Males need not apply

Researchers at Kyoto University have made a groundbreaking discovery by creating functional sperm cells from mouse pluripotent stem cells. The breakthrough has significant implications for male fertility and reproduction, providing a new model for generating male germ cells in a test tube.

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.

How land birds cross the open ocean

Researchers tracked five species of large land birds flying nonstop over the open ocean, exploiting wind and uplift conditions to save energy. The study reveals that many land birds rely on atmospheric support to complete their migrations, making them vulnerable to climate change.

RSNA publishes new QIBA profile for knee cartilage MRI

The new QIBA profile provides a framework for evaluating the reliability of cartilage compositional imaging measurements, including T1rho and T2 mapping. It establishes minimum detectable changes in these values, enabling early detection of cartilage abnormalities and potentially preventing osteoarthritis.

Some coral reefs are keeping pace with ocean warming

Researchers found that coral communities in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) are recovering from past heatwaves, with heat-tolerant offspring repopulating the reefs. This study provides a source of hope for coral reef conservation and restoration, highlighting the potential for some reefs to keep pace with ocean warming.

Environmental monitoring of organic pollutants using plants

Scientists at Kobe University have created plants that can identify polychlorinated biphenyls and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which contaminate soil and water. The plant-based method offers a convenient and inexpensive way to monitor toxicity levels.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New VA Merit Review grant to research binge drinking

A $992,000 VA Merit Review grant will fund research on non-neuronal activity after binge drinking to understand its impact on synaptic dysfunction and alcohol use disorder. The study aims to identify novel mechanisms, specifically astrocytes, involved in the dysregulation of neuronal activity.

Surroundings affect rhythm of an individual’s walk, according to new study

A new study by University of Bristol researchers found that people's comfort in their surroundings affects their walking patterns, with those feeling relaxed having regular stepping patterns regardless of environment. The study suggests well-designed urban environments can benefit wellbeing, concentration, and attention similar to natu...

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.

Analyzing marijuana legalization, use among high schoolers

A new study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed the relationship between marijuana legalization and adolescent use, finding no significant association. The researchers used updated estimates from survey data, concluding that state-level marijuana legalization does not impact teenage marijuana use.

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.

$2 million grant will help at-risk students through parent-teacher partnerships

Researchers will provide training to teachers on effective parent engagement, creating class-wide communication plans and tailored interventions for struggling students. By fostering collaborative relationships between parents and schools, academics and behavioral issues can be addressed, ultimately improving student performance.

21.4% record efficiency for flexible CIGS solar cells

Scientists at Empa have pushed flexible solar cell efficiency to a new limit, achieving 21.4% conversion rate. The study's findings also show that the technology remains stable after exposure to combined heat and illumination.

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.

Chemotherapy drug puts young children with cancer at high risk of hearing loss

A new study by UBC researchers found that chemotherapy drug cisplatin is more likely to cause hearing loss in young children, particularly those under five years old. The study, published in Cancer, shows that the hearing of these children is impacted early during treatment and is affected to a greater extent than older children.

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.

Think climate change is bad for corn? Add weeds to the equation

Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Injuries to youth by law enforcement

A recent study found that Black youth in California have significantly higher rates of injuries caused by law enforcement than their non-Black peers. The researchers used California emergency department and hospitalization data to examine the overall rates of such incidents.

Physicists point out window of opportunity for manned Mars mission

Researchers at Skoltech have identified a favorable window of opportunity for manned Mars missions in the mid-2030s. The study suggests that launching during the decaying phase of solar activity can help shield astronauts from cosmic rays, allowing for longer flight durations.

Highly efficient vibration concentration by disordered metamaterials

Scientists at Huazhong University of Sci. & Tech. present a soft and disordered hyperuniform elastic metamaterial (DHEM) that achieves remarkably high efficiency vibration concentration in broad frequency band, reaching up to ~4000 enhancement factor. The DHEM design covers a range of frequencies from ~100 Hz to ~10 kHz.

Bacteria could learn to predict the future

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that bacteria can adapt to changing environments by learning statistical regularities, enabling them to predict the future faster than traditional evolutionary methods. The study reveals a simple regulatory architecture that allows bacteria to process information and mak...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The Vilcek Foundation awards $250,000 in prizes to immigrant scientists

The Vilcek Foundation has awarded four prizes worth $250,000 to foreign-born scientists in the United States. The prizes recognize outstanding career contributions to biomedical science and innovative research. This year's recipients include Vishva M. Dixit, Markita del Carpio Landry, Hani Goodarzi, and Harris Wang.

Building a better bioartificial pancreas

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a convection-enhanced macroencapsulation device that offers improved cell loading capacity, increased cell survival, glucose sensitivity, and timely insulin secretion. The device has the potential to be an autonomous system for minimally invasive treatment of type 1 diabetes.

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.

Buttes on Mars may serve as radiation shelters

Researchers found that buttes on Mars can block about 20% of radiation from the sky, reducing the dose by a significant amount. However, this effect is limited by albedo radiation, which increases when the terrain reflects and emits radiation backwards.

Ancient Greek ‘pop culture’ discovery rewrites history of poetry and song

Researchers discovered a four-line ancient Greek poem with stressed and unstressed syllables, challenging traditional views on classical poetry. The poem's simple language and emphasis on individual expression suggest a 'democratising form of literature' that could represent a 'missing link' between ancient and modern forms.

Using video for the early detection of autism

Researchers at UNIGE developed an AI algorithm using automated video analysis to detect autism spectrum disorder in children under 5. The system correctly classified 80% of cases and showed a convincing result in just 10 minutes, providing an initial screening tool for parents.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Hummingbirds can smell their way out of danger

Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered that hummingbirds can avoid insects with defensive compounds, such as formic acid, which harm birds. The study shows that scent plays a crucial role in hummingbird foraging decisions and ecosystem function.

Neurons are much smarter than we thought

Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new deep learning artificial infrastructure inspired by individual neurons. Their approach uses complex mathematical modeling to replicate the brain's electrical processes and create more intelligent AI systems.

Koala killer being passed to joeys from mum

Researchers at University of Queensland discover koala retrovirus is transmitted from mother to joey through close proximity, highlighting a significant threat to wild koala populations. This finding may lead to re-thinked conservation plans and the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent transmission.

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.

Fruit fly metabolism could pave the way for new obesity and diabetes drugs

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a hormone in fruit flies that regulates human metabolism, potentially leading to new treatments for obesity and diabetes. The CAPA hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining energy balance, raising blood sugar levels, and regulating insulin secretion.

Electronic nose can sniff out when a lung transplant is failing

A new electronic 'nose' has been developed to detect when a lung transplant is beginning to fail, with 86% accuracy. The device uses machine learning algorithms to analyze exhaled breath patterns and identify lung diseases, offering new hope for patients diagnosed with chronic allograft dysfunction.

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.

Fact-checking works across the globe to correct misinformation

A new study found that fact-checking works across the globe, reducing false beliefs and increasing factual accuracy. The researchers tested five unique fact-checks in four countries and found that fact-checks increased accurate beliefs by .59 points on a scale of 1-5.

Advances of SERS and SEIRA: from nano/micro-structures to macro-optical design

Researchers have developed new strategies to optimize multiscale design of macro optics to micro/nanophotonics, enhancing the spectral sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman and infrared absorption spectroscopies. This enables effective signal detection even for molecules with small scattering or absorption cross-sections.

Human antibiotic use affects wild bears

Researchers found that human antibiotic use increased resistance to antibiotics in bears' bacteria, affecting even those far from civilization. The study suggests that reducing antibiotic use can help decline resistance rates.

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.

One-way for thermal radiation

Scientists at LMU's Nano-Institute have developed a method to cool samples using thermal radiation, reducing energy consumption. The technique, called radiative cooling, uses long-wave thermal radiation emitted by a sample to effectively cool it.