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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 150


Page 150 of 510

Wing shape determines how far birds disperse

Researchers used flight efficiency estimates from museum specimens to predict bird dispersal distances, revealing that species with elongated wings can disperse farther. This study has applications in biodiversity conservation, as reduced flight capabilities may threaten bird populations.

SourceRoyal Ontario Museum·JournalEcology·DateSep 2, 2021

Probing molecular orientation by polarization-selective transient absorption spectroscopy

Scientists used LP-TA spectroscopy to study molecular orientation at heterojunctions of all-small-molecule organic solar cells. The angle between donor and acceptor molecules was estimated, revealing parallel and vertical orientations in different blends. This technique provides complementary information for X-ray scattering measurements.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Testing 1-2: New laser-based microphone calibration measures up

Researchers at NIST demonstrate a faster and more accurate way to calibrate microphones using lasers. The new technique surpasses the current industry standard, offering potential for commercial applications in industries like factories and power plants.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJASA Express Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Geckos glide, crash-land, but don’t fall thanks to tail

Researchers found that geckos' tails act as a fifth leg to stabilize themselves on vertical surfaces, helping them land safely after colliding with trees. A gecko-inspired robot confirmed this finding, showing that the longer the tail, the lower the force pulling the back feet away from the surface.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Preoperative chest CT improves assessment of postoperative mechanical ventilation

A single-center retrospective study found that preoperative thoracic CT findings can complement preoperative clinical risk factors to improve risk assessment for the need of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Bronchial wall thickening, pericardial effusion, and anteroposterior chest diameter were identified as independent predictors...

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

Long COVID ‘brain fog’: Neurocognitive tests to harmonise global methods

A UNSW psychology researcher recommends a set of neurocognitive and mental health questionnaires to harmonize the assessment of long COVID patients. These tests can be used internationally and in various cultural settings to address key questions about the problem, including brain fog and dementia risks.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 2, 2021

Decades after toxic exposure, 9/11 first responders may still lower their risk of lung injury

A new study from NYU Langone Health found that losing weight and managing excess body fat can significantly reduce the risk of lung disease in firefighters exposed to toxic substances on 9/11. The study analyzed 20 years of data from over 5,700 first responders and identified five key factors that predict lung disease.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 2, 2021

Safeguarding European wild pollinators

The Safeguard project will assess the status and trends of European wild pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. It will also explore effective ways to halt declines in different scales, from local to global.

SourcePensoft Publishers·DateSep 2, 2021

Scientists use radar data to measure the impact of forest fires in the Amazon

Researchers combined VOD with remote sensing data from optical satellites to analyze the effects of fire on Amazon canopy dynamics. The study found that VOD provided a more accurate picture of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic biomass changes, and that rainfall was close to average during the fire season.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalRemote Sensing·DateSep 2, 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.

Rapid Arctic warming likely drives extreme winter weather events in the US

A new study finds that rapid Arctic warming is driving extreme winter weather in the US, particularly intense snowfall events and anomalous cold snaps. The findings reveal a physical link between Arctic amplification and stratospheric polar vortex disruption, which are contributing to increased frequency of winter weather extremes.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 2, 2021

THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY: Mortality risk in transgender people twice as high as cisgender people, data spanning five decades suggests

A nationwide study of transgender individuals in the Netherlands found a significantly increased mortality risk compared to cisgender people. The analysis of national data from 1972 to 2018 revealed that transgender women and men faced higher risks of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, infection, and non-natural causes of death.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021

Grim warning for Aussie species in conservation checklist

A comprehensive list of threats to Australian plants and animals reveals stark news about the future for some iconic species. The study provides precise data to better direct conservation efforts, categorizing and addressing threats like habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

Research highlights mental health impacts of isolation

Female mice exhibit increased production of social calls and non-vocal behaviors when reunited with others after acute isolation, suggesting a pathway for studying brain mechanisms underlying social motivation and mental health.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 2, 2021

New study provides insight into the plant immune system

A recent study explores the plant immune system using chimeric maize leaves with an auto-active R protein. Researchers found that Rp1-D21 triggers a defense response without recognition events, leading to cell death in affected areas but not neighboring cells.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Anatomy of the impact of a protostellar jet in the Orion Nebula

A team of astronomers has uncovered the physical and chemical effects of a protostellar jet in the Orion Nebula, including compression, heating, and destruction of dust grains. The study reveals a significant increase in gas phase abundance of heavy elements such as iron and nickel.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021

Indian wolf among world’s most endangered and distinct wolves

Scientists have sequenced the Indian wolf genome, revealing it to be one of the world's most endangered and evolutionarily distinct populations. The study suggests that Indian wolves may represent the most ancient surviving lineage of wolves.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMolecular Ecology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 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.

Research aims to prevent deadly environmental disasters involving mine waste

Researchers have created a global database of 63 tailings flows since 1928, revealing catastrophic events occur every two to three years on average. The study highlights the importance of understanding water-to-solids ratios and downstream terrain in preventing mass casualties and environmental damage.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalEngineering Geology·DateSep 2, 2021

Many with food allergies don’t know about oral immunotherapy treatment option

A nationally representative survey found that 72% of people with food allergies were unaware of oral immunotherapy as a treatment option. The study highlights the need for more accessible and equitable outreach efforts to ensure all patients can benefit from recent advances in food allergy treatments.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 2, 2021

Cost, bleeding cited as major reasons for not taking newer anti-coagulant as prescribed

A recent study found that 26-45% of people with atrial fibrillation fail to adhere to their prescribed direct-acting oral anticoagulants due to cost and bleeding concerns. Researchers interviewed 42 adults who had stopped or reduced dosing, citing these reasons as major barriers to adherence.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeSurvey·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Reference genome of Aristolochia fimbriata provides new insights into flowering plant evolution

The study provides a high-quality genome sequence of Aristolochia fimbriata, shedding light on angiosperm evolution, floral development, and chemical biosynthesis. The researchers identified two overlooked whole-genome duplications in Piperales and clarified the time of previously reported WGDs in Magnoliales and Laurales.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Optimal lifting of COVID-19 restrictions would follow pace of vaccination, study suggests

A new analysis suggests that the pace of vaccination should directly dictate the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to boost freedoms and minimize new waves of infection. The study's findings suggest that further severe waves can be avoided if restrictions are lifted no faster than the pace dictated by vaccination progress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Mountaintop mining causes 40% loss of aquatic biodiversity

A study using environmental DNA found that mountaintop coal mining impacts 40% fewer species in Appalachian streams. The team detected 28 species of fish in all 93 sampled mined streams, comparable to traditional methods.

SourceDuke University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 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.

Novel mechanism links genetic defect in IBD patients to gut leakiness

A UC Riverside-led study identifies how loss-of-function mutations in the gene PTPN2 affect intestinal epithelial cells' ability to maintain a barrier. The researchers found that increased fluid loss and diarrhea are linked to the mutation, which can be reversed by treating cells with synthetic matriptase.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Researchers sequence genome of drug-resistant Salmonella enteritidis strain that can sicken poultry

A virulent Salmonella Enteritidis strain has been sequenced from two consecutive poultry flocks in North Carolina State University. The strain, SE_TAU19, exhibits seven antimicrobial resistance genes and 120 virulence genes, posing a threat to human health. Genome sequencing provides valuable data for tracing outbreaks and preventing f...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

Kids hospitalised with chronic illness up to three times more likely to fall behind at school

A large-scale study of over 300,000 children in Australia found that those hospitalised with chronic illnesses were at a significantly higher risk of poor academic performance. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, highlights the need for additional support for these students.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021

Strong opposition from food lobby to Transport for London advertising

Researchers at the University of Bath found that large food companies and advertisers opposed Transport for London's 2019 ban, challenging its effectiveness and attempting to undermine policy. The ban was implemented despite commercial opposition, and its success sets a positive precedent for other authorities planning similar bans.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 2, 2021

UC researcher finds stroke risk factors in minority groups

A new study led by UC researcher Daniel Woo found high blood pressure to be a significant risk factor for strokes in Black and Hispanic patients. The study also identified sleep apnea as a novel risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) strokes, which are often deadly and cause high disability.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 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.

Deadlines may be effective in building support for climate change action

A new University of Central Florida study found that using deadline-ism messaging in climate change communications increases perceptions of the threat and support for government action. Participants who read articles with deadlines supported more political climate change action than those without deadlines.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalEnvironmental Communication·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Hepatotoxicity reports in the FDA adverse event reporting system database

This study compared drugs associated with hepatotoxicity in the FDA's FAERS database, finding that mitochondrial mechanisms are a leading cause of drug-induced liver injury. The top four drugs with the highest risk were associated with mitochondrial mechanisms, and older patients and females were more likely to be affected.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateSep 2, 2021

9/11: Twenty years on, responders still paying a heavy price

New research from Edith Cowan University reveals responders to the 9/11 terrorist attacks are still suffering 20 years later, with many facing significant health issues related to the event. Cancer and mental health concerns are particularly prevalent among responders.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalPrehospital and Disaster Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Higher education and state-building: Methaphors of universities revisite

The article examines how higher education has shaped state-building and political economies since WWII. Researchers propose a four-point model and categorize state attitudes towards education into three categories: national asset, citizen's right, and commodity.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalEuropean Journal of Higher Education·DateSep 2, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

For good measure: A virtual ruler estimates the size of colorectal polyps

Researchers developed a method to overlay a virtual scale on acquired endoscope images in real-time, allowing accurate estimation of colorectal polyp sizes. The approach uses triangulation principles and minimal image processing, enabling cost-effective diagnosis without adding extra instrumentation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 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.

Very Large Array Sky Survey data provides evidence of a theorized population of supernova

Using data from the Very Large Array Sky Survey, researchers have identified a luminous radio source consistent with an expanding supernova remnant. The discovery is associated with an unidentified x-ray transient and suggests the explosion produced a relativistic jet, supporting predictions for merger-triggered supernovae.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 2, 2021

Going up: Birds and mammals evolve faster if their home is rising

A new study found that birds and mammals evolved into new species at higher rates where the land has risen most over the past three million years. This effect was found to be greater than historical climate change, present-day elevation, and temperature in driving speciation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateSep 2, 2021

Symptoms with loss of taste or smell in adults with, without SARS-CoV-2 infection

A recent study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coronavirus self-checker to identify symptoms reported by adults with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection following a loss of taste or smell. The results revealed distinct symptom profiles for individuals with and without the virus.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateSep 2, 2021

Exploring the role of gender in scholarly authorship disputes

A new study reveals women receive less credit for their work, experience more disagreements over authorship, and are often excluded from future collaborations. The authors call for standardization in authorship decisions and universities to provide pathways for researchers to communicate concerns.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeSurvey·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

Reporting of domestic violence during Chicago COVID-19 quarantine

A study found that COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in Chicago were associated with increased rates of reported domestic violence, particularly among minority groups. The study suggests that pandemic policies may exacerbate existing inequalities in access to resources and support for survivors of domestic violence.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 2, 2021

Study: HPV vaccination will reduce throat and mouth cancers, but overall impact will take 25-plus years to see

A new study finds that HPV vaccination will significantly reduce rates of throat and mouth cancers in younger age groups, but the overall impact may not be seen until 2045. The study projects a substantial decline in oropharyngeal cancer rates among well-vaccinated individuals aged 36-45 and 46-55 between 2018 and 2045.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2021

SMART researchers design novel sensors to detect plant hormones

Researchers from SMART and collaborators have developed the first nanosensor to detect synthetic auxin plant hormones, transforming the screening process. The sensors enable real-time monitoring of plants' response to compounds like herbicides without causing damage.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalACS Sensors·DateSep 2, 2021

NUS researchers develop brain-inspired memory device

The new molecular device has exceptional memory reconfigurability, allowing for enhanced computational power and speed. It can be reconfigured using voltage to embed different computational tasks, making it a potential game-changer in edge computing and applications with limited power resources.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021
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.

New resource to advance genomics-driven precision medicine

Researchers have uncovered thousands of new regulatory regions that control disease-linked genes, providing a significant step forward for genomics-driven precision medicine. This new resource, available worldwide, could help identify markers revealing which patients will benefit most from specific treatments.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021