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Science News Archive 2021


Page 152 of 510

Study finds body mass index for children greatest in Midwest, least in West

A study of over 14,000 children found Midwestern kids have the highest body mass index (BMI) levels, while Western kids have the lowest. The research suggests regional influences may play a role in childhood obesity, with factors such as environmental exposures and mother's education also contributing to BMI.

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.

Having MS plus depression may be tied to increased risk of death

A new study published in Neurology shows that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression are more likely to die over the next decade than those with MS alone or neither condition. The study also found a higher risk of developing vascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke, among individuals with both MS and depression.

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.

Watercooler parts could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure

A study found that water dispensers could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure, with OPEs detected in the majority of samples. The researchers estimated daily consumption levels to be below health-risk thresholds, but highlighted the need for future research on suitable tubing materials.

Study shows a whale of a difference between songs of birds and humpbacks

A University at Buffalo researcher proposes that humpback whale songs are not similar to bird songs but rather dynamic and freeform vocalizations. The study reveals changes in the units within whale songs over time, suggesting a vocal flexibility that demonstrates the inadequacy of using human labels for sound production.

Toward scaling up nanocages to trap noble gases

Researchers developed a method to scale up nanocages to trap noble gases like krypton and xenon. The team used commercial materials and found the optimal temperature range for trapping gas atoms inside the cages.

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 PANoptosome: a new frontier in innate immune responses

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified the PANoptosome, a complex that integrates multiple cell death pathways to protect against infections. This discovery offers new insights into the functional role of inflammasome sensors in innate immune responses.

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.

Rice physicists find 'magnon' origins in 2D magnet

Researchers found that spin-orbit coupling induces asymmetric interactions between electrons in chromium triiodide, affecting its topological excitations. This discovery could exist in other 2D van der Waals magnets and has implications for spintronics.

Ultrafast electronic control of magnetic anisotropy by mid-infrared light

A team of researchers from Osaka University and international partners used intense mid-infrared laser pulses to alter magnetic anisotropy in a weak ferromagnet. They found that electronic excitation, rather than lattice heating, was responsible for the ultrafast change, enabling faster spintronics devices. This breakthrough has signif...

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.

School day structure could benefit children’s health

A study of rural schoolchildren found that behaviors leading to obesity decreased on school days compared to non-school days, while activity levels increased. The researchers recommend structured programs or schedules for children on non-school days to combat obesogenic behaviors.

Sieving ions with a polymer membrane

Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel polymer membrane that can precisely separate ions, opening up new possibilities for technologies like water purification, mineral extraction, and energy storage. The membranes' precise control over pore size and uniformity makes them ideal for applications such as removing ions from seawater ...

New therapies possible after finding immune cell changes in WM

Researchers discovered that cancer-associated mutations in blood progenitor cells lead to distinct changes in both cancer and non-cancer immune cells in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. This finding has potential implications for origins and therapy of the disease, suggesting a new approach to immune therapies.

Higher-order topological bound states in the continuum

The study reveals that corner states can be embedded into bulk states while being decoupled, forming bound states in the continuum. This discovery extends conventional topological BICs into higher-order cases, enabling robust and localized states in bulk spectra.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Cleveland Clinic research proves feasibility of new cancer treatment approach

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic have published results showing that Temporally Feathered Radiation Therapy (TFRT) is a safe and feasible approach to reduce toxicity in radiation treatment. The technique optimizes radiation delivery time to improve normal tissue recovery, potentially improving patient quality of life.

New articles for Geosphere posted online in August

A new study on Haleakala volcano's crater and great valleys proposes a landslide hypothesis to explain the formation of these features. The researchers suggest that a giant landslide on the volcano's northeastern flank displaced the surface, creating the valleys and crater. Another article presents detrital zircon research on Sierra Ne...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Deadwood in the global carbon cycle

The study reveals that climate change affects the rate of decomposition and insect contributions to deadwood, releasing approximately 10.9 giga-tons of carbon worldwide annually

Burnout in resident doctors is common; study found unionization doesn’t help

A Northwestern University study found that unionizing resident doctors does not reduce burnout, but provides additional benefits such as more vacation time and housing stipends. The study suggests that improving resident wellness requires a program-by-program approach, with implementing wellness toolkits being a promising solution.

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.

Hidden bacterial hairs power nature’s ‘electric grid’

Researchers at Yale University discovered that bacteria use hidden protein filaments called pili to pump out nanowires, which are the basis of nature's electrical grid. This finding opens up new possibilities for generating electricity, creating biofuels, and developing self-healing electronics.

Double vaccination halves risk of Long COVID

Researchers at King's College London found that double vaccination significantly reduces the risk of Long COVID, with a 49% lower likelihood of contracting the virus. Fully vaccinated individuals also experience milder symptoms, fewer hospitalizations, and a lower burden of acute symptoms.

Immunotherapy for HPV+ head and neck cancer: Awakening the force within

A new study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective against HPV-positive head and neck cancers, with a potential therapeutic vaccination approach also being explored. Researchers discovered tumor-specific CD8 T cells in tumors from patients, which could provide a proliferative burst in response to PD-1 blockade.

Adding foreign atoms to graphene does wonders to boost its properties!

Researchers from South Korea have developed a method to add metal oxides to graphene, enhancing its physical and chemical properties. This creates composite structures with unique characteristics, suitable for energy storage and flexible devices. The study's findings pave the way for biocompatible, durable, eco-friendly materials.

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.

How ant teeth cut like a scalpel

A recent study reveals that ants, worms, spiders, and other tiny creatures have a built-in set of tools that maximize cutting efficiency thanks to the arrangement of individual atoms of zinc. This biomaterial allows animals to use less force, making their smaller muscles spend less energy.

Light-induced shape shifting of MXenes

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have discovered that MXenes can be switched repeatedly between a flat and a rippled shape by applying femtosecond laser pulses. This discovery could lead to improved energy storage capacity, enhanced catalytic or antibiotic activity, and new applications in sensing and active plasmonic devices.

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.

Uppsala researchers solve long-standing biological search problem

A team of Uppsala researchers has discovered the solution to finding a matching DNA template in the cell's busy interior, solving a 50-year-old puzzle. They use a CRISPR-based technique and microscopy to image the homologous recombination process, revealing that the search is reduced from three to two dimensions.

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.

How much wildfire smoke is infiltrating our homes?

Researchers found that residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles reduced PM2.5 particulate matter by half indoors on smoky days, despite outdoor levels remaining three times higher. Newer homes with central air conditioning performed better at keeping wildfire smoke out.

Step by step to the end product through enzyme catalysis

The team designed a cascade for flow catalysis to convert glucose into trehalose in two steps using immobilised enzymes. They aim to optimise the process by improving substrate materials and making it more cost-efficient through recycling UTP.

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.

New Geology articles published online ahead of print in August

Researchers have discovered a molecular biomarker for the end-Permian plant extinction in South China, revealing synchronous extinction among continental and marine organisms. A study in Namibia reveals a preserved fjord-network morphology, allowing reconstruction of paleo-ice thicknesses and glacial dynamics.

Early COVID-19 shutdowns helped St. Louis area avoid thousands of deaths

Researchers analyzed epidemiological models to examine the impact of delayed public health orders in St. Louis, finding that a two-week delay could have resulted in nearly sevenfold more deaths by June 15. The study highlights the importance of early and coordinated implementation of local public health policies.

COVID-19: An innovative candidate vaccine shows efficacy in preclinical models

A novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate demonstrates high efficacy in preclinical models by stimulating the immune system and inducing a robust neutralizing antibody response. The vaccine protects against reinfection and provides better protection than natural immunity, making it a potential supplement to existing vaccines.

A single gene can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle

A UNIGE team has identified the Nf1 gene as essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycles of Drosophila. This discovery could help explain symptoms of neurofibromatosis, including sleep disturbance, and may provide new insights into the circadian rhythm.

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.

Geologists propose theory about a famous asteroid

Researchers suggest that Vesta's large troughs were formed by rocks cracking apart due to the planet's weak gravity, contradicting a leading hypothesis. The study uses crater counting methods to explore the relative age of the basins and troughs, indicating they share a similar age.