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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 232


Page 232 of 510

Want new advanced materials? There's a phase transition for that

Scientists from Japan and China have discovered three previously unknown mechanisms of phase transition in soft materials, shedding light on the dynamics of solid-to-solid transformations. This research has diverse applications, including targeted drug delivery and development of new materials with tailored properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2021

Diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help reduce headaches

A recent trial found that consuming a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids significantly reduces headache frequency and severity compared to a typical diet. The study, published in The BMJ, suggests that increasing omega 3 intake can lead to reduced levels of pain-reducing oxylipins and improved quality of life for those with migraines.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJun 30, 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.

Cardio health decline tied to midlife wealth

A new study found that middle-aged adults who experienced upward wealth mobility had lower cardiovascular risk after age 65, compared to those with downward mobility. The researchers estimate a 1% swing in cardiovascular risk for every $100,000 gained or lost by individuals.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJun 30, 2021

Prevalence of COVID-19 among hospitalized infants varies with levels of community transmission

A new study found that COVID-19 infection rates among infants hospitalized for potential serious bacterial infections were higher during periods of high community transmission, but lower when transmission was low. The study also found a relatively low incidence of other respiratory viruses in this age group.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJun 30, 2021

New treatment options for deadliest of cancers

A new way to target the RAS protein, responsible for 20-30% of all known cancers, has been found by a team from the University of Leeds. This breakthrough could lead to greater treatments for more patients, paving the way for hundreds of other disease targets.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 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.

Evaluating association of surgical resident grit with burnout

A survey study investigated the association between surgical resident grit and burnout, finding that residents with higher grit levels were more likely to experience burnout. The study suggests that grit may be an important factor in preventing burnout among surgical residents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJun 30, 2021

Study links mental health with risk of tuberculosis

A study published at ECCMID 2021 found that individuals with depression and schizophrenia have a higher incidence of TB. The research suggests that mental health may play a causal role in increasing TB risk, particularly through its effect on the immune system.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 30, 2021

Harvard-led researchers document quantum melting of Wigner Crystals

Physicists have finally experimentally documented the melting of Wigner Crystals into a liquid in response to quantum fluctuations, a long-sought-after goal in the field. The study used a novel experimental technique to observe this transition in atomically thin semiconductor bilayers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJun 30, 2021

Some brain disorders exhibit similar circuit malfunctions

Researchers found similar circuit malfunctions in the thalamus of mice with genes mutated for autism and schizophrenia. This discovery could lead to developing drugs targeting this circuit to treat people with different disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 30, 2021

Large measurement campaign in the Atlantic starts

A large measurement campaign has started in the Atlantic, using a TROPOS lidar on Cabo Verde to study atmospheric conditions and support the ESA wind satellite Aeolus. The campaign aims to improve weather forecasts and understand cloud and aerosol behavior in the tropics.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·DateJun 30, 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.

Eel products in the EU and the UK need better regulation

A third of EU-regulated eel products were found to be mislabelled, with some species originating from China and the US. The study highlights the need for straightforward labelling requirements that include the scientific name of the species.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournalMarine Policy·DateJun 30, 2021

Do 'Made in USA' claims make a difference in marketing results?

Research reveals that 'Made in USA' claims positively impact sales, with a 28% increase in auction transaction prices on eBay. This study found that the claim had a negative effect on three brands and a 'trend decline' on another brand after its removal from products.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateJun 30, 2021

Midlife change in wealth, later risk of cardiovascular events

A recent study investigated the association between midlife changes in wealth and the risk of cardiovascular events after age 65. Researchers found that individuals experiencing a decline in wealth during midlife were at increased risk of cardiovascular events later in life.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJun 30, 2021

Scientists risk overestimating numbers of wild bonobos

A study by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that declining rainfall in the Congo Basin has lengthened bonobo sleeping nest decay times by 17 days over 15 years. This could lead to overestimating population density and jeopardizing conservation efforts.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

NIST-led study finds variations in quantitative MRI scanners' measurements

A NIST-led study comparing 27 MRI scanners found significant bias and variation in T1 measurements, which can affect diagnosing brain tumors. The study recommends establishing rigorous quality control procedures for quantitative MRI to promote confidence and stability in measurement techniques.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021

Have a pandemic plan? Most people did not

A survey of 217 participants found that most people were unprepared to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, with 62% having no plan at all. The study suggests that building basic health literacy skills can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and safety.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

A white dwarf living on the edge

Astronomers have identified a white dwarf so massive that it may collapse. The discovery provides an example of what can happen after the phase where two less massive white dwarfs merge into one. This process boosts the magnetic field and speeds up rotation compared to progenitors.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalNature·DateJun 30, 2021

Protein 'big bang' reveals molecular makeup for medicine and bioengineering

Researchers mapped protein domain evolution over 3.8 billion years, revealing a 'big bang' of domain combinations 1.5 billion years ago. This discovery could help understand and engineer proteins for disease management, vaccine design, and preventing pandemics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 30, 2021

Floods may be nearly as important as droughts for future carbon accounting

Floods affect plant photosynthesis nearly as often as droughts, with extreme wet events impacting soil carbon storage. The study emphasizes the need to rethink flood impacts on vegetation dynamics and soil carbon storage in a warming world.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 30, 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.

Pumped to assist the heart with an artificial aorta

The EPFL engineers have successfully implanted their first artificial tubular muscle in a pig, achieving 24,000 pulsations with the cardiac assist device. The device maintains blood flow while minimizing invasive procedures.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateJun 30, 2021

New articles for Geosphere posted online in June

Two new articles explore the spatially variable exhumation of the central Appalachian Mountains and constraints on the paleoelevation history of Colombia's Eastern Cordillera. The studies use thermochronology and palynological records to reconstruct ancient tectonic events.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateJun 30, 2021

Keep your friends close, cortisol levels low for life

Researchers discovered that communicating with female friends decreases stress hormone levels for women across the lifespan. The study tested conversational efficiency and stress responses in younger and older adult women, finding that older adults demonstrated conversational dexterity with both familiar and unfamiliar partners.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Women & Aging·DateJun 30, 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.

International team develops predictive tool to help mitigate COVID-19 in Africa

An international team has developed a predictive tool to help mitigate COVID-19 in Africa, utilizing current case data, population, economic status, and meteorological sensing from satellites. The tool provides weekly projections of expected cases and helps countries decide on mitigation policies.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2021

Cross-generational consequences of lead poisoning

Researchers from Japan and Zambia have found a significant negative correlation between chronic lead poisoning in children and the health-related quality of life of their mothers. The study, which included 40 households in Kabwe, Zambia, showed that maternal vitality and mental health were particularly impacted by child lead exposure.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalChemosphere·DateJun 30, 2021

Oncotarget: mTORC1 and PLK1 inhibition in adenocarcinoma NSCLC

The study found that combining mTORC1 and PLK1 inhibitors showed high antitumor activity in NSCLC, with synergistic effects observed. The combination may target specific biomarkers of resistance to Pi3K-based monotherapies, offering a promising therapeutic approach.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateJun 30, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Psoriasis among adults in US

A national survey study found that psoriasis has become more common among adults in the United States over the past two decades. The study estimated a significant increase in psoriasis prevalence from 2.4% in 2003 to 5.0% in 2021.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateJun 30, 2021

Autonomous excavators ready for around the clock real-world deployment

Researchers from Baidu Research and the University of Maryland have developed an autonomous excavator system (AES) that can operate continuously for over 24 hours without human intervention. AES uses perception, planning, and control capabilities to identify target materials and avoid obstacles, achieving performance comparable to expe...

SourceBaidu Inc·JournalScience Robotics·DateJun 30, 2021

Embryo freezing for IVF appears linked to blood pressure problems in pregnancy

A large cohort study found a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancies derived from frozen-thawed embryos, particularly when hormone replacement therapies were used. The study suggests that preparation of the uterus with hormones may have harmful effects on vascular pathologies.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJun 30, 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.

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.

Diaries of infection preventionists give inside look at the unsung heroes of the pandemic

A diary kept by infection preventionists during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic reveals the fear, lack of confidence, and shortages of personal protective equipment faced by frontline medical workers. The surveys also highlight the increased visibility and importance gained by IPs among medical teams.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJun 30, 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.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in cattle

New research from the University of Georgia reveals that 60% of cattle fecal samples contain multiple antibiotic-resistant salmonella strains, which can cause severe illness in people. CRISPR-SeroSeq technology identifies molecular signatures in bacteria's DNA, allowing for more sensitive detection of resistant strains.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateJun 30, 2021

Human stem cells enable model to test drug impact on brain's blood barrier

A new experimental model using human stem cells successfully tested the impact of a next-generation anti-inflammatory drug on the brain's blood-brain barrier. The results showed that the breakdown of the barrier is more complex than previously thought and can be prevented with antioxidants.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalSmall·DateJun 30, 2021

Investigational malaria vaccine gives strong, lasting protection

A new malaria vaccine has shown unprecedentedly high levels of durable protection in phase 1 trials, potentially reversing the stalled decline of global malaria. The vaccine combines live parasites with antimalarial drugs and has induced sterile hepatic immunity.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

COVID-19 bereavement care lacking for ethnic minorities

UK researchers found a lack of awareness and access to proper bereavement support among ethnic minority communities, with limited evidence on suitable services. The review emphasizes the need for involving community members in service development and delivery to meet specific needs.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021

New research moves novel gene therapy for heart failure closer to the clinic

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a novel gene therapy that shows promise in treating human heart failure. The treatment targets the Hippo signaling pathway, which can inhibit heart repair, and has been shown to improve heart function and promote tissue renewal in pig models after a heart attack.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 30, 2021

Multitalented filaments in living cells

Intermediate filaments play a crucial role in maintaining cellular stability, elasticity, and resistance to mechanical stress. The study reveals the physical effects that determine their properties and how they interact with each other in networks.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2021

Researchers create better method to predict offshore wind power

Rutgers researchers have created a machine learning model that uses real-world meteorological data and physics-based simulations to improve the prediction of offshore wind power. The model achieved accuracy improvements of up to 91% over traditional methods, highlighting its potential for supporting the growth of renewable energy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalApplied Energy·DateJun 29, 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.

10 years later: How Syrian refugee-led supply networks improve quality of life

A new case study reveals how Syrian refugees in the Za'atari camp leveraged social capital to create informal economic systems, improving their quality of life. The study dispels the notion of refugees as passive aid recipients, instead asserting a refugee camp as a society with complex social systems.

SourcePortland State University·JournalJournal of Operations Management·DateJun 29, 2021

Bronze Age: how the market began

Researchers found that Bronze Age weight systems emerged gradually in a westward spread from Mesopotamia to Europe, with similar units of weight used across the region. The study suggests that free entrepreneurship drove the emergence of accurate weight systems, enabling merchants to interact freely and establish profitable partnerships.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2021

Rattlesnakes may like climate change

A new Cal Poly study suggests rattlesnakes will thrive in a warming climate, with preferred body temperatures ranging from 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit. This could lead to longer hunting seasons and reduced energy needs for survival.

SourceCalifornia Polytechnic State University·DateJun 29, 2021