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Science News Archive 2021


Page 272 of 510

Bioinspired acid-catalyzed C2 prenylation of indole derivatives

A bioinspired approach to C2 prenylation of indoles has been developed, enabling the regioselective synthesis of tryptophol and tryptamine derivatives. The method uses cheap tert-prenol as a precursor and Lewis acid AlCl3 as a catalyst, demonstrating high selectivity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Experiment evaluates the effect of human decisions on climate reconstructions

The study reveals that researchers' subjective decisions can lead to variations in climate reconstruction outcomes. The experiment showed notable differences in amplitude and sensitivity among multiple reconstructions using the same raw data. To improve reliability, teams are advised to create ensemble reconstructions.

Researchers want to convert rapeseed proteins from feed to food

A new research project SEEDFOOD aims to create fundamental knowledge on using rapeseed proteins for human consumption. The researchers will investigate how to process the proteins to achieve optimal functionality in food, including taste and nutritional value, while developing gentle methods to avoid damaging the proteins.

COVID-19 as systemic disease: What does that mean for kidneys?

Researchers found COVID-19 causes a wide range of organs, including the kidneys, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI) with significant mortality rates. Studies showed viruses were directly detected in kidneys of deceased patients, correlating with age and comorbidities.

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.

'Surfing' particles: Physicists solve a mystery surrounding aurora borealis

A team of scientists from UCLA and other institutions has confirmed the interaction between electrons and Alfvén waves, shedding light on the origin of the aurora borealis. The experiment replicated conditions in Earth's auroral magnetosphere, revealing that electrons undergo resonant acceleration by the Alfvén wave's electric field.

Bird collisions and urban light pollution

Bird collisions in Chicago are significantly correlated with high-intensity local migration, decreased moon illumination, and increased offshore winds. Minimizing building lighting at night may reduce collision rates among nocturnally migrating birds, according to a study by Benjamin Van Doren et al.

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.

Meet Australia's largest dinosaur -- Australotitan, the southern titan!

Australotitan, the southern titan, is Australia's largest dinosaur, reaching heights of 5-6.5 meters and lengths of 25-30 meters. The fossilised skeleton was discovered in Eromanga, southwest Queensland, and its scientific description marks a 17-year-long collaboration between Queensland Museum and Eromanga Natural History Museum.

When the economy goes down, so does the quality of our diets

A new study suggests that economic recessions lead to a decline in dietary quality, particularly in food-insecure households. The research analyzed data from over 60,000 adults and children in the US during the Great Recession and found significant reductions in nutrient-dense foods.

A quantum step to a heat switch with no moving parts

Researchers discovered a new electronic property in a specially engineered metal alloy, enabling the manipulation of heat with a magnetic 'switch'. The material, called Weyl semimetal, exhibits unusual electron behavior, generating and absorbing heat to create an energy pump.

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.

Sugar overload may be a recipe for long-term problems

A new study suggests that consuming high amounts of sugar from childhood can lead to significant weight gain, persistent hyperactivity, and learning impairments. Reducing sugar intake has been shown to prevent these issues, supporting World Health Organization recommendations.

Tiny particles power chemical reactions

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new way of generating electricity using tiny carbon particles that can create a current simply by interacting with liquid surrounding them. This technology allows for electrochemistry without wires, enabling applications such as powering micro- or nanoscale robots and driving chemical reactions.

Physicists report definitive evidence how auroras are created

Researchers have identified Alfven waves as the primary cause of the most brilliant auroras. These waves accelerate electrons toward Earth, producing atmospheric light show, through a process known as Landau damping. The study, conducted at the Large Plasma Device, confirms decades-long quest to demonstrate experimentally the physical ...

NIH grant boosts computational search for cancer drugs

A new approach to model and analyze protein-ligand interactions in cancer research is being developed through a $1.2 million NIH grant. Researchers will use the proteomics toolkit PROTEAN-CR to understand key biological mechanisms of cancer and suggest novel cancer therapies.

Most Americans are not getting enough fiber in our diets

Only 5% of men and 9% of women meet daily fiber recommendations, associated with higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. Higher dietary fiber intake is strongly linked to reduced markers for heart and kidney disease in adults with diabetes.

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.

Lighting up ultrafast magnetism in a metal oxide

Researchers suppressed magnetic order across a material for several picoseconds using ultrafast laser pulses. The study reveals how magnetic interactions are suppressed not just locally but everywhere, with the goal of understanding magnetism control for applications like data storage and superconductivity.

Protein identified as new therapeutic anti-viral target for COVID-19

Researchers have identified a novel interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and galectin-3-binding protein (LGALS3BP), which could be a new therapeutic anti-viral target. The presence of detectable viral RNA in blood is strongly associated with increased risk of severe illness.

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.

From farm to plate: Where do global consumer dollars flow?

A team of researchers developed a new method to analyze global food value chains, revealing that farmers receive only 27% of consumer expenditure on foods consumed at home. The study found that the majority of value is created in post-farmgate activities, such as processing and manufacturing.

Evolutional history of metal chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters

Research on metal chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters has explored their composition-structure-property relationships, functionality, and applications. The evolution of MCSCs has led to the development of new frameworks, discretization in superlattices, and site-dependent properties.

COVID-19: Long-term consequences for the kidneys can be expected

Studies have shown that COVID-19-associated nephritis can predict disease severity and mortality, while early signs of kidney involvement are associated with worse outcomes. Chronic kidney disease is a risk for some patients, particularly those who experience acute kidney injury (AKI), which may not recover fully.

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.

Virginia Tech to advance brain, cancer research with focused ultrasound

Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute will advance noninvasive brain and cancer treatments with the new MRI-guided focused ultrasound facility. The technology, already used to treat movement disorders and solid tumors, aims to deliver precise energy to alleviate symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

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.

New drug to halt dementia after multiple head injuries

A new international study has identified a drug that can halt the progression of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in sportspeople who sustain repeated head injuries. The treatment was successfully tested in animal models and shows promise for preventing neurological problems associated with CTE, which affects cognition and behavior.

How coronavirus aerosols travel through our lungs

A new study from the University of Technology Sydney models how coronavirus aerosols travel through our lungs, revealing that more than 65% of particles reach the deepest region where damage can occur. The research also shows that the right lung is more affected by virus deposition due to its asymmetrical anatomy.

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.

Plants get a faster start to their day than we think

Researchers found that plants exhibit a rapid burst of gene activity within an hour of dawn, with three distinct waves. This inner circadian clock helps plants prepare for the day, and scientists identified key regulators of light signaling, including HY5 and BBX31.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Darkened windows save migrating birds

A new study found that darkening even some windows at night during bird migration periods could reduce bird collisions by 60%. Researchers analyzed data from McCormick Place convention center and found that half of the building's windows being illuminated resulted in 11 times fewer nighttime bird collisions during spring migration.

From meat-production to urinary tract infections

A study revealed that Staphylococcus saprophyticus can originate from food, particularly meat production, and is a major cause of urinary tract infections in young women. The bacteria's transmission occurs between persons within the community, emphasizing the importance of hygiene practices to prevent infectious diseases.

Oncotarget: The drug sensitivity of hepatocellular cancer cells

This study investigated the effect of culturing hepatocellular cancer cells in more native conditions, revealing slower doubling times, increased glycolytic enzymes, and mutations in mitochondrial DNA. The results showed increased resistance and sensitivity for cells cultured in native conditions, highlighting new insights into tumor b...

Unexpected discovery opens a new way to regulate blood pressure

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that zinc plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure by triggering the relaxation of blood vessels. This discovery could lead to the development of new zinc-based blood pressure drugs, addressing the limitations of existing treatments for hypertension.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A recent commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the growing concern of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, or 'black fungus', in India. Experts recommend nonpharmacological measures and careful corticosteroid use to prevent and manage this syndemic.

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.

Simple blood test can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration

A study published in Nature Communications has identified a single biomarker, neurofilament light chain (NfL), that can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration in people with cognitive issues. NfL levels in blood were found to be higher across all neurodegenerative disorders compared to those with no cognitive problems.

The ACCOLADE study on C3 glomerulopathy

The ACCOLADE study found that avacopan slowed C3 glomerulopathy progression by 20.6% in the placebo group but improved by 0.2% in the avacopan group, with patients with low eGFR benefiting from therapy. Avacopan also reduced proteinuria and increased eGFR in both groups.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Healthy environment, healthy kidneys!

Climate change is linked to environmental factors causing 24% of global deaths, including chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. The healthcare sector contributes to climate crisis, producing 4.4% of the global carbon footprint. Nephrologists play a crucial role in addressing climate change.

Nucleosome breathing from atomistic time snapshots

Computational simulations reveal that DNA sequence and histone tail dynamics play crucial roles in nucleosome breathing. The study provides unprecedented insights into gene expression mechanisms and may contribute to understanding diseases and optimizing therapeutical cell type conversions.

New insights into survival of ancient Western Desert peoples

Using satellite data, researchers identified suitable foraging habitats and found areas of low resource availability that were rarely used by Aboriginal peoples. The study provides new information on the complex socioeconomic strategies employed by the indigenous population to adapt to environmental challenges.

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.

Quantum holds the key to secure conference calls

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have demonstrated the first quantum-secure conversation between four parties simultaneously, using Quantum Key Distribution and multi-party entanglement to share keys securely. This breakthrough has potential to drastically reduce resource costs for conference calls in quantum networks.

Acoustic waves give a bounce to real-time seismic imaging

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) develop a new method for real-time seismic imaging using acoustic waves. This breakthrough improves image resolution and accuracy, enabling faster and more efficient exploration of subsurface structures.