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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 199


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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2021

Bio-based coating for wood outperforms traditional synthetic options

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a bio-based coating for wood using lignin, a natural polymer abundant in wood and other plant sources. The coating retains the natural structure of wood, making it more water repellent and resistant to stains and sunlight.

SourceAalto University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 23, 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.

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalMolecules·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 23, 2021

Research 'final nail in the coffin' of Paranthropus as hard object feeders

Researchers from the University of Otago debunked a long-held belief about Paranthropus' eating habits, finding no evidence to support regular consumption of hard foods. Instead, they found similar tooth fracture patterns in fossil humans and living primates that eat soft fruits or leaves.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 23, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2021

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

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateJul 23, 2021

New organ-on-a-chip finds crucial interaction between blood, ovarian cancer tumors

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an organ-on-a-chip that models the interaction between platelets and ovarian cancer tumors, revealing a crucial genetic signaling pathway. This breakthrough technology has potential applications in observing how cancer cells interact with blood vessels and testing novel treatments.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 23, 2021

China's carbon-monitoring satellite reports global carbon net of six gigatons

A Chinese satellite has reported a global carbon net of six gigatons, indicating an increase in carbon emissions that contributes to climate change. The TanSat satellite's data will be used to independently verify national emission inventories and help ensure transparency across the globe.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 23, 2021

Comprehensive clinical sequencing opens door to the promise of precision medicine

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital demonstrates the power of comprehensive whole genome, whole exome and RNA sequencing to better understand and treat each patient's unique cancer. The research found that 86% of patients had at least one clinically significant variation in tumor or germline DNA.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJul 23, 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.

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalOne Earth·DateJul 23, 2021

Why do some people get severe COVID-19? The nose may know

Researchers found that severe COVID-19 patients have muted interferon responses, leading to a failed early immune response. The study suggests that building on type I interferon may be key to developing treatments for severe COVID-19.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 23, 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.

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.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalJCI Insight·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalWeed Science·DateJul 23, 2021

Chemotherapy can induce mutations that lead to pediatric leukemia relapse

Researchers found thiopurine-induced mutations in leukemia cells, inactivating a DNA repair process and making the cancer resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs. This study provides direct genomic evidence of chemotherapy-induced drug resistance mutations in pediatric cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Cancer·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateJul 23, 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.

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.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalKew Bulletin·DateJul 23, 2021

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.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalStem Cells·DateJul 22, 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.

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.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJul 22, 2021

Llama 'nanobodies' could hold key to preventing deadly post-transplant infection

Researchers have developed nanobodies that target the cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a virus that can cause life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients. These nanobodies bind to the US28 protein and interrupt signals that keep the virus dormant, enabling the immune system to detect and destroy the virus.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceHuntsman Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 22, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 22, 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.

Alzheimer-linked enzyme complex 'buckles up' for safe trip through the cell

A research team at VIB-KU Leuven discovered the early assembly of gamma-secretase, a protein complex involved in plaque production and linked to Alzheimer's disease. The 'buckle up' mechanism prevents premature assembly and activity, allowing for precise regulation of gamma-secretase activity.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJul 22, 2021

Burden of oral diseases in emerging countries: A prediction model

A prediction model forecasts a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years attributed to oral diseases in emerging countries by 2025. Females and older adults are expected to have the highest burden of oral diseases globally.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateJul 22, 2021

Trash-bin foragers: Innovation and spread of complex culture in suburban parrots

Researchers documented the emergence and geographic spread of innovative bin-opening behaviors in sulphur-crested cockatoos, revealing a complex social learning culture. The behavior, which emerged as a response to land-use change and urbanization, demonstrates how animal cultures can adapt to urban environments.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 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.

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...

SourceInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa ITQB NOVA·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJul 22, 2021
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.

Spontaneous retinal waves simulate optical flow before neonatal mice can see

Before birth, neonatal mice's retinas generate spontaneous patterns of activity that simulate optic flow, training the brain to process directional information. This intrinsic mechanism prepares the visual system for motion detection at eye opening, despite the mouse not being able to see yet.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 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.

Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown

A study of 344 volunteers reveals that remotely supervised exercise classes were more effective than in-person sessions or unsupervised online sessions in improving physical and mental health. The researchers attribute this to the increased intensity of exercises under remote supervision, which led to better outcomes for participants.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJul 22, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateJul 22, 2021

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalCirculation Research·DateJul 22, 2021

California's carbon mitigation efforts may be thwarted by climate change itself

Researchers warn that rising temperatures and drought will reduce California's natural ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, potentially limiting the state's progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. The study highlights the importance of present-day drought and wildfire in driving carbon sequestration losses.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalAGU Advances·DateJul 22, 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.