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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 210


Page 210 of 510

Removing the lead hazard from perovskite solar cells

Researchers have developed a new method to capture and recycle lead from perovskite solar cells, addressing the environmental and health hazards associated with their use. The transparent phosphate salt solution prevents lead ions from leaching into the soil, rendering perovskite devices safer for large-scale commercialization.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 15, 2021

Co-locating contraceptive services and opioid treatment programs may help prevent unintended pregnancy

A multi-year trial found that co-locating contraceptive services in opioid treatment programs with financial incentives significantly increased the use of effective contraception among women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), leading to a reduction in unintended pregnancies. The intervention also showed cost-beneficial results, with each ...

SourceLarner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJul 15, 2021

Self-inflicted firearm injuries three times more common in rural youth

A national study found that ED visits for self-harm were nearly 40% higher in rural areas compared to urban settings. Youth from rural areas presenting to the ED for suicidal ideation or self-harm were also more likely to need to be transferred to another hospital due to insufficient mental health resources.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 15, 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.

Financial hardship and voter turnout

Financial hardship significantly affects voter turnout among the poor in Germany, resulting in a 5 percentage point drop in voting intentions and actual turnout. The study analyzed over 1,000 elections and found that short-term financial difficulties lead to increased stress and alienation from politics.

SourceWZB Berlin Social Science Center·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateJul 15, 2021

A new avenue for fighting drug-resistant bacteria

Targeting an RNA sequence in pathogenic bacteria could make them more sensitive to antibiotics, offering a new avenue for treating drug-resistant bacteria. The study found that eliminating this regulatory RNA sequence had an impact on urinary tract infections related to E. coli.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 15, 2021

Benzodiazepines, 'z-drugs' increase death risk when taken with opioids

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (z-drugs) significantly increase the risk of death when used in combination with opioid pain medications. The risk is particularly high for those taking benzodiazepines, which had a 221% increased risk of death.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 15, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wolf pups born on Isle Royale, moose poised for decline

Research on Isle Royale reveals wolf pups have been spotted, indicating a likely increase in the wolf population. Moose, however, are struggling with food scarcity and nutritional stress due to warmer winters and deep snow, leading to a decline in their numbers.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateJul 15, 2021

Study: Incarcerated people placed in solitary confinement differ significantly from others in prison population

A new study by researchers at Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati found significant disparities among individuals placed in extended solitary confinement compared to the rest of the prison population. The study identified notable differences in mental health, education, language, race/ethnicity, and age.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateJul 15, 2021

Modified yeast inhibits fungal growth in plants

Researchers at UC Riverside have engineered yeast to produce proteins that block fungal cell walls, reducing crop losses and reliance on fungicides. This approach could lead to a new method for controlling plant disease with minimal environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateJul 15, 2021

Emergent magnetic monopoles isolated using quantum-annealing computer

Researchers isolated emergent magnetic monopoles, a class of quasiparticles, by exploiting collective dynamics of qubits on a D-Wave quantum annealer. This breakthrough demonstrates the control and study of monopoles, which have been hypothesized but elusive until now.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 15, 2021

Early-life inflammation induces depression in adolescence

Researchers found that early-life inflammation weakens the brain's ability to cope with stress, leading to adolescent depression. Microglial cells overengage with neurons, reducing glutamatergic neuronal activity.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNeuron·DateJul 15, 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.

Can turmeric reduce joint pain during breast cancer treatment?

Researchers at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center are investigating whether turmeric can successfully reduce joint pain in breast cancer patients and improve their quality of life. The study aims to provide important data on the safety and effectiveness of using turmeric with oral anti-estrogen therapy.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·DateJul 15, 2021

Looking beyond the numbers to see pandemic's effect on nursing home residents

A study from Regenstrief Institute identified patterns in the course of COVID-19 in frail nursing home residents, revealing a range of symptoms and outcomes. The research provides insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on survivors and informs efforts to confront outbreaks.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 15, 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.

Engineers find imaging technique could become treatment for deep vein thrombosis

Penn State researchers have developed an imaging technique that can not only identify but also potentially treat deep vein thrombosis by breaking down blood clots. The particles used in the technique bind to activated platelets and inhibit further clot growth, disrupting the clot or inhibiting its mechanism to persist.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJul 15, 2021

UTA named inaugural winner of national racial justice, equity award

The University of Texas at Arlington has been recognized as a leader in addressing racial injustice and inequity through its Latino health literacy campaign. The campaign aims to enhance access to accurate health information for the Latino community, with a focus on COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJul 15, 2021

Among spotted hyenas, social ties are inherited

A massive study of spotted hyena data over 27 years reveals that social inheritance plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining social networks. Offspring inherit social bonds from their mothers, influencing survival and reproductive success, with higher-ranked mothers having more accurate copying of social associations.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScience·DateJul 15, 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.

What does the sleeping brain think about?

Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity during deep sleep, finding that the brain relives memories of rewarding experiences and consolidates them through an internal dialogue. This process enhances memory performance, particularly for emotionally charged events.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2021

Mammalian-like hippocampal activity in a food-caching songbird

Researchers found mammalian-like hippocampal activity in food-caching songbirds like the tufted titmouse, which processes spatial memory using mechanisms similar to those in mammals. This challenges long-held assumptions about the neural basis of spatial memory in non-mammals.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 15, 2021

ComCor study on SARS-CoV-2: where are French people catching the virus?

This study analyzed circumstances of SARS-CoV-2 infection in France, identifying key risk factors and behaviors associated with higher infection rates. The study found that working professionals, car-sharing, recent travel abroad, and visits to bars, restaurants, and gyms increased the risk of infection.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·DateJul 15, 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.

On the front lines: Correctional nurses and the COVID-19 pandemic

Correctional nurses have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited access to personal protective equipment and high patient-to-staff ratios. A special issue of the Journal of Correctional Health Care provides firsthand accounts and evidence-based guidelines for pandemic response in correctional nursing.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Correctional Health Care·DateJul 15, 2021

Report outlines how public transit agencies can advance equity

A new paper in the Transportation Research Record identifies six broad categories of equity-advancing practices that public transit agencies nationwide can widely employ. These practices focus on creating fairer and more just public transit systems, rather than just assessing how service is distributed.

SourceSAGE·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 15, 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.

Wearable sensors with wide-ranging strain sensitivity

Researchers created a wearable sensor that can detect a wide range of strains, from low-level wrist pulses to high-level elbow bending movements. The sensor's novel structural design mimics the scaly structure of snake skin, resulting in exceptional stretchiness and sensitivity.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalMatter·DateJul 15, 2021

A new spidey sense

Jumping spiders can recognize biological motion, a visual cue that refers to the movements of living organisms. The ability is critical for survival and has been found in vertebrates, but this study demonstrates its presence in an invertebrate, challenging our understanding of evolutionary history.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 15, 2021

UBCO researchers light the way to cleaner water

Researchers at UBCO have developed a data processing technique that expands the effectiveness of fluorescence-based water quality monitoring. This approach addresses the challenge of source-specific models by mapping similarities between water sources, enabling real-time detection of hydrocarbons and pesticides in water.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalChemosphere·DateJul 15, 2021

A watershed moment for post-Covid UK social policy

The article highlights a new book that advocates for a human rights framework to be central to the planning of post-COVID UK social policy. The authors argue that this approach prioritizes medical care, food, housing, and digital technology, which are essential for addressing inequality and ensuring equity, justice, and sustainability.

SourceLancaster University·DateJul 15, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

The virus trap

An interdisciplinary research team at TUM has developed nano-capsules tailored from genetic material using the DNA origami method to engulf and neutralize viruses. The strategy has been tested against hepatitis and adeno-associated viruses in cell cultures and may prove successful against corona viruses.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 15, 2021

Tracking COVID-19 across Europe

A COVID-19 tracker developed by IIASA researcher Asjad Naqvi aims to identify, collect, and collate various official regional datasets for European countries. The tracker presents data on daily COVID-19 cases at the sub-national level for 26 European countries from January 2020 until the present.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScientific Data·DateJul 15, 2021

Pandemic of antibiotic resistance is killing children in Bangladesh

A new study found that antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are killing children in Bangladesh, with 77% of pneumonia cases caused by gram-negative bacteria. Children with resistant infections were 17 times more likely to die than those without.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateJul 15, 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.

University of Oklahoma researcher receives NSF Career Award

Michele Galizia, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, has received a $543,641 NSF CAREER grant to develop new polymer membranes. His research focuses on improving the efficiency of industrial separations, crucial for reducing environmental pollution and energy costs.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateJul 15, 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 research at ESMT Berlin shows potential variance in academic research

Researchers found that subjective decisions play a critical role in shaping empirical results, emphasizing the need for open data, systematic robustness checks, and transparency in academic research. This study highlights the benefits of diverse analytical approaches and the importance of humility when communicating findings.

SourceESMT Berlin·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJul 15, 2021

Association of remdesivir treatment with survival, length of hospital stay among US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19

An observational study of 2,344 US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 found remdesivir treatment associated with prolonged hospitalization but no improved survival rates. The study suggests that while remdesivir may help reduce the length of hospital stays, it does not significantly impact patient outcomes in terms of survival.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 15, 2021

Silicon in drinking water caused irreversible lung pathologies in rodents

Researchers found that prolonged silicon consumption in small doses led to lung fibrosis and inflammation in rats and mice, with negative effects appearing six months after switching to clean water. The findings have implications for the use of microelement additives in dietary supplements.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 15, 2021

Scientists create rechargeable swimming microrobots using oil and water

Researchers have created artificial swimmers that use fluctuating temperature changes to store energy and swim independently. These microswimmers can harness heat from their environment to recharge multiple times, opening up possibilities for studying biological interactions.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 15, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Learning aids: Skoltech method helps train computer vision algorithms on limited data

Researchers from Skoltech have developed a new augmentation technique called MixChannel to help train computer vision algorithms with limited data. This approach outperformed state-of-the-art solutions in testing with three neural networks and can be combined with other methods for even more training data.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalRemote Sensing·DateJul 15, 2021

The cells combating a deadly lung disease

A subset of fibroblasts in lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) produce a protein called meflin, which protects against cell aging and fibrosis. Further research could lead to novel therapies for lung fibrosis.

SourceNagoya University·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJul 15, 2021

Extraordinary carbon emissions from El Nino-induced biomass burning estimated using Japanese aircraft and shipboard observations in Equatorial Asia

A study estimated the amount of carbon emitted from biomass burning in Equatorial Asia during 2015, using high-precision observations from a commercial passenger aircraft and a cargo ship. The estimated emissions were around 273 Tg C, comparable to Japan's annual CO2 emissions.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateJul 15, 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.

Stakeholders' sentiment can make or break a new CEO

A recent study by Bocconi University researchers found that stakeholders' sentiment toward a new CEO has a stronger effect on post-succession performance than the CEO's previous experience and fit. Negative sentiment can undermine a CEO's effectiveness, especially for outside CEOs.

SourceBocconi University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateJul 15, 2021

'Get out of the water!' Monster shark movies massacre shark conservation

A study published in Human Dimensions of Wildlife found that 96% of shark films portray sharks as a threat to humans. Dr Briana Le Busque and Associate Professor Carla Litchfield warn that sensationalized depictions can harm conservation efforts by perpetuating misconceptions about shark behavior and risk.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalHuman Dimensions of Wildlife·DateJul 15, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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