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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 243


Page 243 of 510

NIH begins study of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and postpartum

The NIH's MOMI-VAX study aims to assess antibody responses, transfer of antibodies to infants, and vaccine safety in vaccinated participants and their newborns. The study will enroll up to 750 pregnant individuals and 250 postpartum individuals, followed through the first year after delivery.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 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.

Machine learning for solar energy is supercomputer kryptonite

Researchers have developed a machine learning program that accurately predicts the band gap of photovoltaics materials in milliseconds, using freely available software. This breakthrough could render supercomputers unnecessary for some applications, as stoichiometry is found to be a crucial factor in predicting band gaps.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalJournal of Cheminformatics·DateJun 23, 2021

Using virtual populations for clinical trials

Researchers successfully replicated traditional clinical trials using virtual patient populations, speeding up the trial process by months. The in-silico approach shows huge potential for optimizing medical device design and reducing risks associated with treatment.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Kit clashes affect performance in football matches, new study shows

Researchers found that kit colour clashes slow players' ability to find teammates on the pitch, with quicker response times observed when teams wear different shorts colours. The study's findings suggest potential implications for laws of the game and refereeing decisions, particularly in cases involving crossed kits.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPerception·DateJun 23, 2021

Fracture setting method could replace metal plates, with fewer complications

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new biocompatible polymer-based composite material that can replace metal plates in treating difficult and unstable fractures. The material, AdhFix, enables customized plating for fixation of fractures with a more comfortable recovery.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 23, 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.

Black patients with cirrhosis more likely to die, less likely to get liver transplant

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals persistent racial disparities in cirrhosis outcomes, with Black patients facing higher mortality rates and lower transplant approval rates. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for Black patients, who face structural and institutional barriers...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalHepatology·DateJun 23, 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.

Climate change makes arctic ozone loss worse

New study reveals climate change intensifies Arctic ozone depletion, putting Europe and North America at risk of increased UV radiation exposure. The expected recovery of the ozone layer may fail unless global greenhouse gases are rapidly reduced.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Predicting tooth loss

Researchers developed machine-learning tools to predict tooth loss based on medical characteristics and socioeconomic factors, outperforming traditional clinical indicators. The approach could be used globally to screen people and improve early interventions, potentially delaying or preventing tooth loss.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 2021

Researchers outline specific patterns in reading in Russian

Psycholinguists investigated how reading in Russian varies among different groups of readers. Adult native speakers exhibit a 'fluent' pattern, while second-graders show an 'intermediate' process due to local lexical difficulties. Bilingual heritage speakers also follow this pattern, despite having acquired Russian early.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalReading Research Quarterly·DateJun 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.

Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis: everything unfolds in the brain shortly after birth

A Canadian research team has identified a critical period in postnatal brain development that contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders associated with tuberous sclerosis. The study suggests that a mutation in the TSC1 gene disrupts the mTOR signaling pathway, leading to abnormal cell proliferation and synaptic connections defects.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 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.

COVID-19 disruptions in sub-Saharan Africa will have substantial health consequences

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious consequences for education, nutrition, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, with widespread disruptions to healthcare services and increased prices for staple foods. Policymakers must address these indirect risks to mitigate the health impacts of future disease outbreaks.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJun 23, 2021

Low-cost method for finding new coronavirus variants

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a cost-effective method for detecting new coronavirus variants. The COVseq technology uses multiplex PCR and pooling to sequence thousands of viral genomes per week, making it an affordable solution for global surveillance.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Cancer survivors' tongues less sensitive to tastes than those of healthy peers

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that cancer survivors' tongues are significantly less sensitive to bitter, salty, or sweet tastes due to damage caused by radiation therapy. The team discovered that taste dysfunction persists for years after treatment ends, affecting the quality of life for these individuals.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Senses·DateJun 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.

Roughness of retinal layers, a new Alzheimer's biomarker

Researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid have developed a method to measure the roughness of retinal layers, which indicates the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The study uses fractal dimension analysis and can be used for quick and low-cost testing.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 23, 2021

Odd smell: flies sniff ammonia in a way new to science

Flies use their antenna to smell ammonia, which helps them find food sources and navigate. A new type of odor receptor, Amt, has been identified that allows insects to detect ammonia, and could lead to effective ways to block it.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 23, 2021

Geckos might lose their tails, but not their dinner

A new UC Riverside study reveals geckos can still capture crickets with 77% accuracy even after losing their tails. The researchers found that geckos were slower and less agile without tails, but retained a surprising retention of accuracy in capturing prey.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalIntegrative and Comparative Biology·DateJun 23, 2021

Wild bees need deadwood in the forest

A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests can promote the abundance of aboveground nesting bees. The researchers created artificial structures with standing timber in six sample plots in the Black Forest National Park, leading to an increase in wild bee populations.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJun 23, 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.

Enlisting the newly discovered L-IST RNA in the fight against type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a new gene, CCDC152 (L-IST RNA), which inhibits selenoprotein P (SeP) levels, reducing insulin resistance and glucose metabolism issues associated with type 2 diabetes. EGCG supplements may help increase L-IST, offering potential treatment options for diabetic patients.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 23, 2021

Mongooses solve inequality problem

A new study on banded mongooses found that providing extra food to mothers created initial size disparities among pups. However, the well-fed mothers then provided more care to smaller pups, reducing these differences and promoting fairness in pup survival.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2021

Machine learning aids earthquake risk prediction

Researchers at UT Austin developed a machine learning model that predicts the amount of lateral movement in soil during earthquakes, achieving 80% accuracy. The model uses over 7,000 data points from Christchurch, New Zealand, and was trained on the Frontera supercomputer.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalEarthquake Spectra·DateJun 23, 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.

Increased organizational support for employees' adoption efforts yields positive benefits

A Baylor University study found that organizational support for adoption positively affects employees, their families, and the organization itself. The research showed that commitment to the organization is greater when employees receive financial reimbursement or leave policies supporting their adoption of a child.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology·DateJun 23, 2021

Life in these star-systems could have spotted Earth

Researchers used Gaia eDR3 catalog data to determine which stars pass through the Earth Transit Zone over a 10,000-year period. This allows nearby star-systems to potentially detect Earth, with 1,715 systems having had this opportunity since human civilization began.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2021

Study reveals formation mechanism of first carbon-carbon bond in MTO process

A joint research team revealed the mechanism underlying the formation of the first carbon-carbon (C-C) bond during the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process. They detected surface ethoxy species, a critical intermediate containing the initial C-C bond, and employed theoretical calculations to predict its formation.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·DateJun 23, 2021

High-resolution microscope built from LEGO and bits of phone

A team of researchers built a high-resolution microscope using LEGO bricks and mobile phone parts, showing significant improvement in children's knowledge of microscopy. The study demonstrated that constructing the microscope themselves increased children's understanding of optical characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalThe Biophysicist·DateJun 23, 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.

Minority groups in the US experience cognitive issues earlier in life

A recent study found that minority groups in the US are more likely to experience cognitive issues earlier in life. The study analyzed data from over 179,000 adults and found that Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely to self-report memory loss and cognitive decline compared to white individuals.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJun 23, 2021

A triple-system neural model of maladaptive consumption

A triple-system neural model of maladaptive consumption presents a new understanding of compulsive seeking and consumption behaviors. The model identifies three brain regions that may drive maladaptive behaviors: the impulsive system, reflective system, and interoceptive-awareness system.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJun 23, 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.

Had COVID-19? One vaccine dose enough; boosters for all, study says

A new study suggests that people who had COVID-19 need only one vaccine dose for protection and that boosters could be necessary for everyone in the future. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines triggered antibody levels similar to those seen after mild COVID-19 infections with one dose.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 23, 2021

Drug doubles down on bone cancer, metastasis

Researchers have developed an antibody conjugate called BonTarg that delivers drugs to bone tumors and inhibits metastasis. The combination of a breast cancer drug with a bone-targeting antibody was found to significantly enhance the concentration of the antibody at tumor sites, and inhibit secondary metastasis from infected organs.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 23, 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.

Being Anglo-Saxon was a matter of language and culture, not genetics

A new study by University of Sydney researchers found that the Anglo-Saxons were a mix of continental European and local ancestry, with 50-70% of Middle Anglo-Saxon individuals being of local ancestry. The findings suggest that being Anglo-Saxon was more likely a matter of language and culture, not genetics

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 2021

Virtual training helps underserved middle schoolers hone social skills

Researchers from the Center for BrainHealth developed a virtual platform, Charisma™, to enhance social skills in middle school students. The study found that participation in virtual training sessions led to improvements in students' confidence, participation in the classroom, and ability to communicate with peers and teachers.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalFrontiers in Education·DateJun 23, 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.

South Korean team to develop nanofilm-based "cell cage" technology

A Korean research team has developed a nanofilm-based 'cell caging' technology to prevent immune rejection and facilitate smooth insulin secretion in type 1 diabetic patients. The technology, announced by Seoul National University, uses enzymatic crosslinking to create ultra-thin nanofilms that can regulate blood glucose levels.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 23, 2021

Insights on the link between chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease

A new review suggests chronic psychosocial stress contributes to Alzheimer's development by impacting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to neurodegeneration and dementia. Genetic factors influencing this axis may also affect inflammation, further increasing disease risk.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJun 23, 2021

Methodology from GWAS accurately flags more deadly SARS-CoV-2 variant

Researchers used genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to analyze whole-genome sequencing data of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and COVID-19 mortality data. They identified a mutation in the spike protein linked to increased mortality, which was later found to be part of the P.1 variant.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalGenetic Epidemiology·DateJun 23, 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.

AI spots healthy stem cells quickly and accurately

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed an AI system called DeepACT that quickly identifies healthy stem cells with the same accuracy as humans. This technology speeds up the process of evaluating stem cell quality, which is crucial for skin grafts and other applications.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalStem Cells·DateJun 23, 2021

Microspheres quiver when shocked

Researchers at Columbia and Northwestern universities have developed a method to induce oscillations in micro-particles using DC electric fields. This motion could be used to develop microrobots with capabilities rivaling those of living organisms.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2021

A detailed atlas of the developing brain

Researchers at Harvard University have created a comprehensive molecular atlas of the developing somatosensory cortex, providing insights into how gene activity and regulation change over time. The study sheds light on the complex process of cortical development, including when different neuron populations are established.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2021