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Science News Archive 2021


Page 251 of 510

Picky neurons

Neurons in the mouse visual thalamus establish strong functional connections only with one retina, not with both, resolving contradictory results from previous studies. The dominant eye is determined by a clear selection of input, and non-dominant eye signals are weak or inactive.

Memory helps us evaluate situations on the fly, not just recall the past

A new Northwestern University study reveals that the hippocampus is not just essential for long-term memory but also supports short-term memory and guides decision-making. The findings suggest that the hippocampus uses short-term memory to inform where we look, priming our visual system to learn and reevaluate our environment on the fly.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bio-inspired hydrogel protects the heart from post-op adhesions

Researchers developed a bio-inspired hydrogel to prevent post-operative adhesions in the heart, with promising results in rats and pigs. The hydrogel creates a protective barrier while allowing for movement and is designed to be easily removable and dissolveable.

VIMS study uncovers new cause for intensification of oyster disease

A new study reveals that a changing parasite is behind the intensification of oyster disease in the Chesapeake Bay region. The emergence of a more virulent form of Perkinsus marinus, caused by evolutionary pressures from a non-native parasite MSX, led to a sharp increase in disease prevalence and deadliness.

Stronger together: how protein filaments interact

A research team from the University of Göttingen has observed a direct interaction between microtubules and intermediate filaments, leading to stabilisation and extended lifespan. This interaction is important for understanding cellular processes and may have implications for diseased cells.

Study: Men doing more family caregiving could lower their risk of suicide

A new study by Colorado State University Professor Silvia Sara Canetto found that men who engage in more family care work have lower suicide rates. The research suggests that men's underinvestment in family care work may contribute to their vulnerability to suicide, particularly during economic difficult circumstances.

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.

mRNA vaccine yields full protection against malaria in mice

A novel mRNA-based vaccine has shown high levels of protection against malaria in animal models, offering new hope for combatting this deadly disease. The vaccine uses a lipid nanoparticle to stimulate the immune system and trigger a protective response.

When tipping and smiling are both expected at work, so is sexual harassment

Research finds that when service industry employees are financially dependent on customer tips and required to project a positive attitude, they're more likely to experience sexual harassment. The study suggests that reducing dependence on tips or relaxing emotional expectations can help mitigate this issue.

Study examines heart and kidney outcomes of adults with nephrotic syndrome

A new study highlights the high risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular complications in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome, particularly those with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Adults with this condition are 19.63 times more likely to develop kidney failure over a median follow-up period of 4.5 years.

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.

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.

Moffitt develops non-invasive approach to predict outcomes in lung cancer

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive method to measure PD-L1 biomarker levels in lung cancer patients using PET/CT scan images. This approach uses deep learning to predict checkpoint inhibitor outcomes, which could help determine optimal treatment strategies for patients.

Start-stop system of hunting immune cells

Neutrophils use an internal start-stop system to balance search and destroy phases for efficient pathogen elimination. This system helps prevent excessive inflammation and tissue damage. The study provides new insights into neutrophil biology, essential for immune host defense against bacteria.

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.

New beetle-dwelling roundworm species discovered in Japan

A new nematode species, Cryptaphelenchus abietis, has been discovered inside bark beetles emerging from a dead log in Nagano, Japan. The species is cultivable and may become a useful model for studying the physiological and ecological evolution of nematodes.

Blood cancer patients with COVID-19 fare better with convalescent plasma

A large retrospective study found that convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can improve the likelihood of survival among blood cancer patients hospitalized with the virus. The therapy, which involves transfusing plasma rich in antibodies, was associated with a lower death rate compared to those who did not receive it.

Probing deeper into tumor tissues

A team of researchers has successfully analyzed over 8,000 proteins in fixed lung cancer tissue samples, providing a detailed understanding of molecular processes in cancer cells. The study aims to help identify the best treatment for each tumor and may lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

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.

Researchers reveal defect properties in Sb2S3 material

A study published in Nature Communications reveals the unique defect properties of low-dimensional materials particularly Sb2S3, which shows advantages in less dangling bonds and reduced recombination of carriers. Sulphur-rich Sb2S3 films exhibited excellent performance with lower density of defects and improved photovoltaic performance.

New invention keeps qubits of light stable at room temperature

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a new technique to store qubits of light at room temperature, a major breakthrough in quantum research. This innovation enables the storage of qubits for milliseconds instead of microseconds, saving power and resources.

If you ride an e-scooter, take safety precautions

A Henry Ford Health System study reveals that e-scooter-related head and neck injuries account for nearly 28% of reported riding mishaps. The study's findings highlight the importance of wearing helmets and following safety tips to reduce the risk of injury while using e-scooters.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Parrot talk

Research reveals that parrots rely on eavesdropping on vocal interactions to assess unfamiliar individuals. In flock encounters, flocks primarily choose to follow a leader's contact call, indicating the importance of vocal imitation in social interactions.

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.

Probing the dynamics of photoemission

Physicists used attosecond pulses to study tungsten crystals' photoelectron emission dynamics. The results show that electrons from neighboring energy states in the valence band differ by tens of attoseconds in their response times.

Anthropogenic forcing increases drought risks in Southeast Asia

A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that anthropogenic forcing has increased drought risk in Southeast Asia, with more frequent and widespread droughts over the past six decades. The region's biodiversity is also threatened due to water scarcity issues exacerbated by climate change.

Engineered NK cells can eliminate glioblastoma stem cells

Researchers engineered NK cells to resist immune suppression and eliminated glioblastoma stem cells using inhibitors targeting TGF-β receptors. The study suggests a combinatorial approach of NK cell-based immunotherapy with disruption of the TGF-β signaling axis for treating glioblastoma.

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.

Concrete wall seismic test data wins NHERI DesignSafe Dataset Award 2021

Researchers generated first-of-its-kind data on lightly reinforced concrete walls, which helped revise New Zealand Concrete Structures Standard and U.S. Building Code Requirements. The dataset, published on NHERI DesignSafe cyberinfrastructure, revealed hidden damage in walls that led to improved understanding of earthquake engineering.

Immune system protein may defend against deadly intestinal disease in babies

A new study by Washington University School of Medicine identifies a protein called Interleukin-22 that may protect babies from necrotizing enterocolitis, a leading cause of death among premature infants. The findings suggest that low levels of IL-22 in the intestine lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response and tissue damage.

New in the Hastings Center Report, May-June 2021

Environmental injustices, such as toxic landfills and chemical plants, are often located in predominantly Black, Latinx, and Indigenous neighborhoods, threatening the health of these populations. The Hastings Center Report highlights the need for bioethics to consider environmental injustice in its principles of justice.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sacred natural sites protect biodiversity in Iran

Research reveals sacred groves in Kurdistan, Iran, harbor higher taxonomic diversity than neighboring lands, hosting rare plants and threatened animals. Local perceptions prioritize spiritual values, cultural heritage, and biodiversity protection.

Novel chirped pulses defy 'conventional wisdom'

University of Rochester researchers produce highly chirped pulses with relatively low-quality equipment, increasing possibilities for high-capacity telecommunication systems and astrophysical calibrations. The new method uses normal dispersion cavities, which are more common and can generate stable pulses despite high energy loss.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New study finds SARS-CoV-2 can infect testes

A new study found that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the testes of infected hamsters, a finding with implications for men's health. The virus was detected in the testes of all infected hamsters during the first week but tapered off over time.

Managed retreat: A must in the war against climate change

A new paper proposes reconceptualizing the future using managed retreat, which involves moving people, buildings, and assets from areas vulnerable to hazards. This approach can create a wider range of futures by combining options in different ways.

Detoxifiers from the landfill

Researchers discover bacteria that can break down toxic chemicals like lindane and HBCD, which have been banned in many countries due to their persistence in the environment. The microbes produce enzymes that can degrade these pollutants, offering a potential solution for cleaning up chemical waste from landfills.

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.

Changing a 2D material's symmetry can unlock its promise

Scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have successfully created a novel optoelectronic phenomenon in MoS2 by breaking its inversion symmetry using strain gradients. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for remote thermal sensing and opens up new possibilities for designing high-efficiency optoelectronics.

Long-term Himalayan glacier study

Researchers from Heidelberg University combined historical images and maps with current data to track glacier changes in the Nanga Parbat Massif. The study shows that the glaciers have been shrinking since the 1930s, but at a slower rate than other Himalayan regions due to avalanche activity and debris cover.

Focus on emotions is key to improving heart health in people living with obesity

A 10-week lifestyle modification programme improved cardiovascular and mental health in people living with obesity, with significant reductions in anxiety, depression, body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The programme's personalized approach, non-judgemental environment, and focus on emotional eating triggers led to su...

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.