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Science News Archive 2021


Page 199 of 510

The impact of climate change on Kenya's Tana river basin

A new study published in PLOS ONE warns that Kenya's Tana River Basin species will be unable to survive if global temperatures continue to rise. However, remaining within the goals of the Paris Agreement could save many species by protecting refugia from climate change.

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.

Device cracks milk protein

Flinders University researchers have successfully manipulated Beta-lactoglobulin, a major whey protein in cow's, sheep's, and other mammal's milk, using an Australian-made thin film microfluidic device. The device combines with a new form of biosensor to control and monitor protein denaturation and renaturation.

Blushing plants reveal when fungi are growing in their roots

Researchers used beetroot pigments to visually track soil fungi colonizing plant roots in real-time. The technique enables selection of fungi that provide the biggest benefits in agricultural scenarios, enhancing crop production while reducing artificial fertiliser needs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

US clinics slower to provide opioid treatment than Canadian clinics

A Yale study found that US methadone clinics were slower to accept new patients and longer in providing treatment compared to Canadian clinics during the pandemic. Clinics with open access models provided timelier treatment access, but only a fraction of US clinics offered this option.

Bacteria navigate on surfaces using a 'sense of touch'

Researchers found that Pseudomonas bacteria use a network of proteins to regulate twitching and respond to mechanical forces, allowing them to navigate based on what they feel in front of them. This 'sense of touch' helps the microbes move forward in the same direction when moving as a group.

How the brain paints the beauty of a landscape

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that brain activity associated with aesthetically appealing natural landscapes is not limited to the reward system, but also involves early visual areas. This suggests an early form of beauty perception that can be triggered by surprise and unexpected stimuli

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.

Cascaded metasurfaces for dynamic control of THz wavefronts

Researchers developed a general framework for dynamic control of THz wavefronts using cascaded metasurfaces. By varying the polarization of a light beam with rotating multilayer metasurfaces, they demonstrated efficient redirection and manipulation of THz beams, overcoming limitations in local tuning.

New tracking system monitors danger to rainforests

Scientists have developed a novel indicator to monitor danger to the world's rainforests, which are losing their capacity to cycle carbon and water. The unique tropical rainforest index (TFVI) provides a snapshot of long-term observations, revealing that rainforests are more vulnerable than previously predicted.

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.

Brain-repair discovery could lead to new epilepsy treatments

University of Virginia researchers identified a potential avenue for treating seizure-related brain injuries by harnessing the brain's natural immune response. Microglia cells were found to form pouches that tend to swollen dendrites, suggesting a 'healing' process.

Studies examine different understandings, varieties of diversity

Studies investigate how ideological differences impact attitudes towards diverse community features and what 'diversity' means to conservatives and liberals. Researchers find that demographics, viewpoints, and consumer features are perceived as relevant aspects of diversity.

New insights into immune responses to malaria

Researchers used mass cytometry and machine learning to discover 'immune signatures' that differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria infections. The study found a previously unrecognised role for immune CD4 T cells in preventing serious disease and controlling asymptomatic infection.

Study shows environmental link to herbicide-resistant horseweed

A study by Michigan State University found that horseweed's growth type is influenced by environmental cues, with rosette plants emerging in response to temperature and photoperiod variations. Upright plants, resistant to glyphosate, are three- to four-fold less sensitive than their rosette siblings, making them harder to control.

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.

What's riskier for young soccer players, practice or game time?

A new study found that young soccer players experience more frequent head impacts during practice, while game time may result in greater magnitude impacts. Technical training activities like heading the ball were associated with an average impact rate of 13.7 head impacts per player hour.

Using silicone wristbands to measure air quality

A study by Texas A&M researchers found that silicone wristbands can be used as passive samplers to measure exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy. The wristbands yielded similar results to traditional testing methods, suggesting they could be a useful tool in studies of semi-volatile pollutants.

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.

Scientists identify five new plant species in Bolivia

Researchers have identified five new plant species in Bolivia's Bolivian Andes, expanding the genus Jacquemontia. The study highlights the importance of classifying and conserving these species, which are highly vulnerable to threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.

Perfecting collagen production in osteogenesis imperfecta

Scientists have discovered a way to replace mutated osteoblasts with healthy ones, leading to improved collagen production and potentially paving the way for a cure for brittle bone disease. The breakthrough could be translated to other forms of OI and bone diseases in the future.

Rensselaer-designed platform could enable personalized immunotherapy

Researchers developed a 3D platform to study therapeutic combinations against cancer cells, allowing for rapid optimization of personalized immunotherapies. The platform demonstrated significant differences in treatment efficacy between 2D cell cultures and the 3D spheroid design.

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.

Land repair vital for survival

The study highlights the importance of dryland restoration to mitigate climate change and reverse desertification, with seeding efforts showing promising results in nearly a third of treatments. However, the process is also fraught with risks, including high failure rates and declining species populations as projects mature.

Study shows cancer misinformation common on social media sites

A new study found that one-third of popular cancer treatment articles on social media contain misinformation, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. The vast majority of this misinformation garners more attention and engagement than evidence-based information.

Scientists reverse age-related memory loss in mice

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Leeds successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice by manipulating the extracellular matrix of the brain. By restoring the balance of compounds known as chondroitin sulphates, they were able to restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits.

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.

Characterized drugs show unexpected effects

Researchers identified bioactive substances that modulate cholesterol homeostasis, a common feature among many compounds. These findings suggest potential side effects of active substances and provide new insights into targeting cholesterol homeostasis, which may also impact SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Spotted: An exoplanet with the potential to form moons

Researchers at the Center for Astrophysics have detected a clear presence of a moon-forming region around exoplanet PDS 70c, one of two giant planets orbiting a star nearly 400 light-years away. The disk surrounding PDS 70c has enough mass to form up to three satellites the size of the Moon.

Tulane spin-out company to develop new treatment for pelvic organ prolapse

BioAesthetics Corp., a Tulane University spin-out company, has received a $256,000 grant to develop a novel graft for treating pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The graft, strengthened with biodegradable polymers, will be tested in Kristin Miller's lab to compare its elasticity and strength to normal tissue.

Prosocial behavior improves student outcomes, reduces teacher stress and burnout

Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia use $4 million in grants to connect with 200 middle school teachers through ECHO platform, aiming to improve student outcomes and reduce teacher stress. Prosocial education practices, including kindness, empathy and internal praise, are found to positively impact student behavior.

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.

New insight on the reproductive evolution of land plants

A study published in Nature Plants reveals a comprehensive atlas of gene expression data from ten different species of land plants. The analysis identified novel and missing components involved in the formation of sex organs and cells, showing that many groups of genes emerged through the repurpose of existing genetic material. The tea...

Palaeontology: Newly-hatched pterosaurs may have been able to fly

Researchers found that hatchling pterosaur wings were stronger than those of many adult pterosaurs, suggesting they could fly. Their wing dimensions were also more suited for agility and quick changes in direction, possibly allowing them to escape predators and catch nimbler prey.

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.

Eco-friendly plastic from cellulose and water

Göttingen University researchers have developed a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi) that can be molded using little more than water at everyday temperature and pressure. The bioplastic exhibits high quality mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications.

Clever cockatoos learn through social interaction

Researchers have proven that cockatoos learn to lift garbage bin lids through social interaction and observation. The study shows that birds adapt innovative techniques to access food resources, highlighting the emergence of regional subcultures among urban bird species.

Unlocking genetic clues behind aortic aneurysm

A new study reveals that the TCF7L2 gene plays a key role in smooth muscle cell death and replenishment, potentially reducing aortic aneurysm risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,300 individuals with aortic aneurysms and found a significant genetic link to the disease.

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.

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.

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.

Visualizing a city's energy use

A new model estimates annual energy use intensity of 209 structures in Pittsburgh with only a 7% error rate. The Urban Building Energy Model can aid policy makers in setting energy goals and efficiency regulations for commercial buildings.

New insights into uncontrolled inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Researchers discovered how protective molecules like SPM are altered in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that increasing these molecules could limit inflammation and disease severity. The study also found that dexamethasone increased SPM production, improving white blood cell function and reducing inflammation.

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.