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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 194


Page 194 of 510

Technion researchers develop innovative rapid imaging technology

Researchers at the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology have developed a revolutionary imaging technology that breaks through limitations of current single-pixel imaging (SPI) systems. The new technology, which uses an unprecedented high frequency of 2.4 MHz, enables the creation of high-quality images in record time.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2021

Younger diabetics more worried about Covid-19 – study

A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that younger people with diabetes are significantly more concerned about COVID-19 risks and have a higher likelihood of reporting worries. Social support from family, friends, and healthcare teams plays a crucial role in managing these concerns.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalPrimary Care Diabetes·TypeSurvey·DateJul 28, 2021

Systematic differences across countries associated with use of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions; lockdowns decrease mobility while school closures have no effect

Researchers analyzed country-level health systems capacity and socioeconomic characteristics to understand delays in implementing COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions. Lockdowns significantly reduced physical mobility, while national school closures had no significant impact.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalThe European Journal of Health Economics·DateJul 28, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Imaging method predicts how well stem cells can differentiate into cardiac muscle cells

A new imaging technique developed by the Skala Lab can predict the efficiency of cardiomyocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells, providing a non-invasive quality control method. The technique uses autofluorescence to measure metabolic activity and has been shown to be accurate in predicting outcome with high consistency.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2021

Study reveals characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Researchers discovered that the majority of the spike protein degrades within 24 hours, providing insights into infection and vaccination processes. The study also shed light on the role of key host factors in cell-to-cell fusion, a crucial aspect of COVID-19 pathology.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 28, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Common floral bacteria can induce pollen germination

Certain floral bacteria can induce pollen germination, allowing them to access nutrients. This discovery could have implications for the biology of pollen digestion and its impact on pollinators.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

3D visualization and quantification of bioplastic PHA in a living bacterial cell

Researchers use 3D visualization to analyze bioplastic granule accumulation in bacteria, providing insights into sustainable plastic substitutes. The study found distinctive differences in PHA granule density and localization between microorganisms.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 28, 2021

Not-so-blind mice can make strategic and acute visual choices

Researchers found that mice can make fine visual discriminations between slightly different lines, suggesting a more complex decision-making process than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-perceptual biases in understanding animal behavior and decision-making strategies.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2021

Perspectives, concerns of adult women with acne

The study explores how adult women experience acne's influence on their lives, finding it affects self-esteem and relationships. Adult women describe the negative emotional impacts of acne on their daily lives.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateJul 28, 2021

Attachment style secures your love during lockdowns

A study by the University of Vienna found that attachment style is a key predictor of high relationship quality during times of crisis. Participants with secure attachment styles had higher relationship quality than those with anxious or avoidant styles.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 28, 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.

Study suggests need to screen older adults for mental health symptoms as pandemic continues

A new study suggests that older adults, particularly women and those in fair or poor health, are more likely to experience worsened mental health symptoms during the pandemic. The study recommends screening for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems and connecting participants to treatment resources.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 28, 2021

£3 million grant to advance machinery design and performance

The University of Huddersfield's Centre for Precision Technologies will receive £3m funding to drive advancements in machinery design and performance. The project aims to grow the UK's advanced machinery capability to a £2 billion export capacity within ten years, creating over 30,000 high-value manufacturing sector jobs.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateJul 28, 2021

Off-target antibodies undermine HIV vaccine efforts

A recent study from Scripps Research found that proof-of-concept HIV vaccines generate off-target antibodies that degrade the vaccine's payload, hindering protection. The research provides critical insights for improving HIV subunit trimer vaccines and offers a promising avenue for design improvements.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Machine learning and knowledge engineering uncovers significant role of elevated blood glucose in severe Covid-19

Researchers have identified a recurring trend of elevated blood glucose levels among those with severe Covid-19, which impairs lung immune defense and facilitates cytokine storm. Tight control and management of glycemia may be crucial for better outcomes, and metformin shows potential as a treatment option.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

Has the billion dollar crusade to eradicate polio come to an end?

The World Health Organization has fired 500 staff on the polio programme, potentially ending a multibillion-dollar crusade. Despite reducing cases by 99.99%, polio efforts have been stagnant for years, raising questions about the effectiveness of funding and integration with routine immunization services.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 28, 2021

Giant friction experiment at Kīlauea volcano

Researchers analyzed data from Kīlauea's caldera collapse to characterize friction at a large scale. The study confirms the role of slip-weakening distance in earthquake mechanics and provides insights into the physics governing caldera collapses.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

Serious complications from youth-onset type 2 diabetes arise by young adulthood

A new study finds that youth-onset type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing serious complications by young adulthood. Within 15 years of diagnosis, nearly a third of participants had two or more complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, and eye disease.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 28, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers develop “dimmer switch” to help control gene therapy

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a system that can fine-tune protein expression from gene therapy vectors, addressing the need for controlled dosing. The 'dimmer switch' uses alternative RNA splicing and an orally available small molecule to adjust levels of expression up or down as needed.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 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.

Wearing a mask – for yourself or for others?

A survey of hospital employees in Switzerland found that self-protection is the main motivation for wearing masks, while younger employees also prioritize protecting others due to their perceived risk aversion, according to researchers.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 28, 2021

Scientists trained a neural network to properly name organic molecules

Researchers from Skoltech and their colleagues developed a neural network that can efficiently generate IUPAC names for organic compounds in accordance with the IUPAC nomenclature system. The network, trained using the Transformer architecture, achieved an accuracy of nearly 99%, outperforming traditional rule-based solutions.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

Healthy lifestyle may help mitigate high genetic risk of cancer

Researchers created a new indicator, CPRS, to measure overall cancer risk based on an individual's unique combination of DNA changes. A healthy lifestyle is associated with decreased cancer incidence in people with a high genetic risk.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJul 28, 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.

Study: Gene associated with autism linked to itch response

A pilot study from North Carolina State University found that a gene associated with autism spectrum disorder and pain hypersensitivity may decrease itch response. Contactin-associated protein 2 (CNTNAP2) is expressed in sensory neurons responsible for transmitting sensations of both pain and itch.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Earthly rocks point way to water hidden on Mars

Scientists have found evidence of hydrohematite, an iron oxide mineral containing water, in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests that Mars may have once had a watery environment and could hold a significant water reserve.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeology·DateJul 28, 2021

A group’s moral values may help determine the likelihood of hate-motivated harmful acts

A study published in Nature Communications suggests that a county's moral values, particularly binding values, can predict the prevalence of hate groups and extreme behavioral expressions of prejudice. The research used geospatial modeling and psychological experimentation to analyze data from over 3,100 US counties.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 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.

‘Less than 1% probability’ that Earth’s energy imbalance increase occurred naturally, say Princeton and GFDL scientists

Researchers at Princeton University and GFDL found that the Earth's energy balance sheet is out of equilibrium, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events. The study suggests that human activities are responsible for the observed changes in the energy imbalance.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 28, 2021

Why lockdown in Africa does not work as a first COVID-19 pandemic response

The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalAfrican Development Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

Another byproduct of the pandemic: Paranoia

A Yale study finds that pandemic-induced paranoia was particularly acute in states with low mask mandate adherence and increased acceptance of conspiracy theories. Increased feelings of paranoia were associated with erratic choice behavior and a higher likelihood of endorsing conspiracy theories.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJul 28, 2021

Water as a metal

Researchers produce aqueous solution with metallic properties for the first time by dropping a tiny droplet of liquid alkali metal alloy into water. The resulting 'metallic water' exhibits characteristic spectroscopic properties, including a golden glow and conduction band.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Fighting off food poisoning depends on the time of day

Researchers found that levels of REG3G, a natural antimicrobial molecule, fluctuate on a circadian rhythm prompted by resident gut bacteria. This cycling has significant consequences for the ability to fight off infection, with higher bacterial burdens and rates of death when exposed at sunset.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell·DateJul 28, 2021

Scientists release new AI-based tools to accelerate functional electronic materials discovery

Scientists developed new AI-based tools to identify and study materials exhibiting a metal-insulator transition (MIT), which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient microelectronic devices. The tools provide a freely available database, online classifier, and new features for characterizing these materials.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Motivation depends on how the brain processes fatigue

The study found that people's willingness to exert effort fluctuates moment by moment but gradually declines over time due to fatigue. Two types of fatigue were detected in distinct parts of the brain, with one short-term and another long-term effect, affecting motivation to work.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Breathing new life into fuel cells

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new method to improve oxygen reduction in fuel cells using iron-based single-atom catalysts. This breakthrough could unlock a level of efficiency never before realized, enabling large-scale deployment of fuel cells and their nearly limitless potential applications.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJul 28, 2021

Managing earthquakes triggered by oil production

A multidisciplinary team of scientists developed a method to dispose wastewater safely, reducing the danger of triggering earthquakes. The approach was tested in Italy's largest onshore oil field and found to be sustainable.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 28, 2021

PCORI approves $254 million to fund 28 new research studies addressing urgent health problems

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded $254 million to fund 28 new research studies aimed at reducing health disparities in maternal morbidity, preventing youth suicide, and improving behavioral health outcomes. Four studies will assess interventions to improve prenatal care for Black women and their child...

SourcePatient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Icy waters of 'Snowball Earth' may have spurred early organisms to grow bigger

A new study suggests that small single-celled organisms may have formed larger multicellular life forms to better navigate icy waters. This shift in size allowed for increased propulsion and access to a wider range of food sources, giving early organisms an ecological advantage.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe American Naturalist·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

One in four cancer patients lack sufficient immunity against measles and mumps, study finds

A recent study found that 25% of cancer patients lacked adequate protective antibodies against measles virus and 38% lacked adequate antibodies against mumps virus. The study suggests that increasing immunity at the community level is crucial to protect vulnerable populations, particularly young adults and stem cell transplant recipients.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·TypeObservational study·DateJul 28, 2021

Deep Longevity repurposes a blood aging clock for saliva samples

Deep Longevity has adapted its blood aging clock to work with saliva samples, improving accuracy from 20.9 years to 4.7 years. The company's solution uses cell-type deconvolution to separate the composition of saliva samples.

SourceDeep Longevity Ltd·JournalFrontiers in Aging·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021

World’s first “green” synthesis of plastics from CO2

A team of researchers has successfully synthesized polycarbonate diols from carbon dioxide and diol at atmospheric pressure using a CeO2 catalyst. This process eliminates the need for dehydrating agents, producing only water as a by-product, making it an attractive alternative to existing methods.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 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.

Molecular atlas reveals how brain cells develop

EPFL researchers have mapped the genetic and developmental trajectories of embryonic cells towards their fate in the maturing brain. They analyzed gene expression profiles from mouse embryos every day from day 7 to birth, revealing diversity in neuronal progenitors and organizer radial glial cells that guide cell development.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 28, 2021

Researchers identify a cellular defect common to familial and sporadic forms of ALS

A study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a common cellular defect in ALS that can be treated with an antisense oligonucleotide drug. Researchers found that the accumulation of CHMP7 protein in the nucleus leads to nuclear pore injury and TDP-43 mislocalization, ultimately causing cell death.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Exploring blood types of Neanderthal and Denisovan individuals

A study analyzing ancient DNA has uncovered new information on the blood types of Neanderthals and Denisovans. The analysis reveals consistent African origins and increased vulnerability to diseases affecting fetuses and newborns, confirming previous evidence of low genetic diversity leading to eventual demise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Postmenopausal women can dance their way to better health

A new study suggests that dancing can lower cholesterol levels, improve physical fitness and body composition in postmenopausal women. Additionally, dance practice has been shown to enhance self-image and self-esteem, contributing to overall mental health.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeObservational study·DateJul 28, 2021

First 3-D view of TB granulomas alters paradigm of their shape and formation

Researchers created a 3D view of diseased lung tissue using microCT to reveal that TB granulomas are complex and branched, with unique connections to airways. This has significant implications for treatment, including the potential for aerosolized drug delivery to reduce treatment times.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021
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.

Highly potent, stable nanobodies stop SARS-CoV-2

Göttingen researchers have developed mini-antibodies that efficiently block the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants. The nanobodies bind and neutralize the virus with extreme stability, making them promising agents to treat COVID-19.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021