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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 296


Page 296 of 510

Research shows how people changed their behavior in response to COVID-19 guidance

Research from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences found that people changed their behavior in response to national guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a uniform rise in mobility across the country when the guidelines expired.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2021

Radar tracking uncovers mystery of where honeybee drones have sex

Scientists tracked individual honeybee drones using radar technology, revealing their mating behaviors and finding that they move between multiple congregation areas during a single flight. This discovery suggests the existence of a new type of animal mating system in honeybees.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournaliScience·DateMay 20, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

How injured nerves stop themselves from healing

Researchers found that a protein called CXCL12 attracts growing nerve fibers and keeps them entrapped at the injury site. This prevents regeneration in the central nervous system. Eliminating the receptor for CXCL12 improved axonal regeneration, offering a potential starting point for new drugs.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2021

New study presents evaporation-driven transport-control of small molecules along nanoslits

Researchers develop a new technique to control the transport of small molecules in gas-permeable nanoslits, which enables various applications such as molecule-valving, -concentrating and -pumping. The study shows that evaporation flux and nanoslit length govern the transport of small molecules.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021

States laws limit local control over guns, favor gun rights

A new study by researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health found that most US states have passed laws preserving state authority over firearms policies. The vast majority of these states use preemption to support gun rights and remove communities' authority to enact gun control protections.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 20, 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.

Emerging H5N8 avian influenza viruses are a serious public health concern

The emergence of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza viruses has led to significant mortality in wild and farmed birds, with at least one spillover event reported in Russia. Global surveillance and rigorous infection control measures are crucial to prevent further human infections and devastating pandemics.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2021

Compound commonly found in candles lights the way to grid-scale energy storage

Scientists at PNNL have demonstrated the potential of low-cost organic compounds for storing massive amounts of energy to be fed into the electric grid. The researchers showed that fluorenone, a common compound found in candles, can operate continuously for 120 days and lose less than 3% of its energy capacity after 1,111 full cycles.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2021

High risk of conflict between humans and elephants and lions

Scientists have identified areas at high risk for conflicts between humans and elephants and lions in Africa. The study estimates that mitigation fences could provide considerable return on investment via reduced cattle loss and crop damage.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New smartphone app predicts vineyard yields earlier, more accurately

A new smartphone app developed by Cornell University engineers can predict grape yields up to 24% more accurately than traditional methods. The app uses computer-vision technology to analyze video footage of grape vines, allowing farmers to secure labor and equipment in advance and reduce profits.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Agronomy·DateMay 20, 2021

The when and why of foehn warming in northwestern Japan

A University of Tsukuba study found that Japan's south foehn is driven by dynamic mechanisms, not thermodynamic effects. Dangerously hot windstorms occurred when a typhoon was present, highlighting the need for predictive models to mitigate harm.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateMay 20, 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.

Total deaths due to COVID-19 underestimated by 20% in US counties

A new study estimates that US COVID-19 deaths may be 20% higher than reported, with excess deaths not attributed to the virus more common in low-socioeconomic counties. The research emphasizes the need for policy changes addressing widening health and racial inequities.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 20, 2021

Penn doubles the percentage of Black participants in cancer clinical trials

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has doubled the percentage of Black participants in cancer clinical trials through community outreach and engagement efforts. The initiative improved access and treatment for historically underrepresented groups, with significant increases observed in non-therapeutic interventional and ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateMay 20, 2021

Will COVID-19 eventually become just a seasonal nuisance?

Mathematical models predict that COVID-19 severity will decrease as populations develop immunity, with mild cases becoming the norm. The research suggests adaptations in immune response over time rather than virus changes may drive this shift.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalViruses·DateMay 20, 2021

Engineering smarter stents

A new type of coronary artery stent is being developed with ultra-low profile struts and a smart surface that can help improve healing and prevent blood clots. The stents aim to reduce the risk of restenosis and thrombosis, which occur in 3-10% of cases.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateMay 20, 2021

Accounting for finance is key for climate mitigation pathways

A new framework connects climate mitigation scenarios and financial risk assessment, enabling a more accurate understanding of the financial system's impact on the transition. By integrating climate-financial risk assessments into IAMs, investors' expectations can be adjusted to enable or hamper the low-carbon transition.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 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.

Solving a natural riddle of water filtration

An international team of researchers has developed a way to replicate a natural process that moves water between cells, mimicking the functions of aquaporins in our bodies. The new channels can carry water faster than current membranes while excluding protons and unwanted molecules.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 20, 2021

Researchers use environmental data to assess prostate cancer diagnosis factors

Researchers found that areas with low environmental quality had stronger associations with late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses, particularly in Black men. The study suggests that addressing environmental factors such as land, water, and sociodemographic variables could improve treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·DateMay 20, 2021

The impact of early childhood interventions on mothers

Research shows that ECD interventions can improve maternal mental health, women's financial wellbeing, and overall empowerment. However, many studies overlook the indirect benefits for mothers and caregivers, leading to policy misinvestment.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 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.

Slow yoga prevents fainting

A randomized study found that guided yoga therapy was more effective in preventing fainting and improving quality of life compared to standard treatment. The study enrolled 100 patients with vasovagal syncope and found that the yoga group had fewer blackouts and better quality of life scores at 3, 6, and 12 months.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEP Europace·DateMay 20, 2021

A new form of carbon

A team of researchers has discovered a new form of carbon that exhibits metallic properties, unlike graphene. The material, named Biphenylene network, is made by assembling carbon-containing molecules on an extremely smooth gold surface and has the potential to be used as conducting wires in future carbon-based electronic devices.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Global acceleration in rates of vegetation change

A new study found that global ecosystem changes began to accelerate around 11,000 years ago, with a second period of rapid change starting between 4.6 and 2.8 thousand years ago. The researchers used fossil pollen records to compare rates of change across different continents and regions.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2021

Moon mission delays could increase risks from solar storms

Scientists have discovered a clear pattern in extreme space weather events, making it possible to predict when they will occur. The findings suggest that Moon missions may be delayed to avoid the most intense periods of solar activity, which can pose risks to astronauts and satellites.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalSolar Physics·DateMay 20, 2021

A peptide that allows cannabis-derived drugs to relieve pain without side effects

A team of scientists from Pompeu Fabra University has developed a peptide that allows delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to fight pain in mice without cognitive side effects. The peptide, which interrupts the interaction between THC and serotonin receptors, improves memory capacity while providing analgesia.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateMay 20, 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.

Overcoming long-term trauma can be facilitated

Researchers have identified a specific brain region that facilitates recovery from long-term traumatic memories, known as the nucleus reuniens. By enhancing its activity, they found that long-lasting traumatic memories can be facilitated towards safety.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 20, 2021

Parrot poachers striking while the market's hot

A study analyzing two decades of data reveals parrots are targeted for their attractiveness and ability to be sold on legal markets. The trade has contributed to a severe decline in the global parrot population, with one-third of species threatened by extinction.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMay 20, 2021

Hubble tracks down fast radio bursts to galaxies' spiral arms

Astronomers use Hubble to pin five FRBs to host galaxies and identify their origins as young magnetar outbursts. The study provides new insights into the nature of these powerful events, which generate energy equivalent to the Sun's in a year.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 20, 2021

Study finds gender pay gap in large government agency

A study by the University of Georgia found a persistent gender pay gap at the US Department of Health and Human Services, with women earning 9.2% less than men in 2018. The research suggests that differences in promotion within higher pay grades may be contributing to the gap.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalHuman Resources for Health·DateMay 20, 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.

Origins of life researchers develop a new ecological biosignature

A team led by Santa Fe Institute Professor Chris Kempes has developed a new ecological biosignature based on mathematical patterns in elemental ratios. This approach may help scientists detect life in systems that don't resemble Earth's conditions.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateMay 20, 2021

Palaeontology: Ancient turtle from Texas yields evolutionary insights

A 100-million-year-old side-necked turtle fossil from Texas provides evidence of marine adaptations, challenging previous understanding of the oldest known species. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of bothremydid turtles and their potential migration to North America.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 20, 2021

Red meat intake, poor education linked to colorectal cancer

A new study found that higher red meat intake and lower educational attainment are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in people under 50. The research also linked lower fiber and folate intake to a stronger link between rectal cancer and early-onset cases.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Cancer Spectrum·DateMay 20, 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.

We know the cost of free choice and locality - in physics and not only

Researchers explore the relationship between free choice, locality, and causality using Bell's inequalities. They find that reality breaks these inequalities, prompting questions about local realism and experimenters' choices.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2021

Out of thick air: Transforming CO2 into light-emitting carbon

A team of researchers at the University of Ottawa has developed a new pathway to transform CO2 gas into solid carbon forms that emit light, creating a low-energy alternative. The breakthrough uses visible light to initiate dissociation in carbon dioxide molecules on a nanostructured silver surface.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalOptica·DateMay 20, 2021

The impact of real-time feedback in employee reviews

New research reveals that real-time feedback from supervisors tends to be more critical, while peers do not adopt tit-for-tat strategies. Positive feedback also has a stronger effect on future ratings than negative feedback, with men rating women higher than themselves and women rating both equally.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateMay 20, 2021

Forensic memory detection tests less effective in older adults

New research by University of Kent found that EEG-based forensic memory detection tests have limited validity in older adults due to changes in recognition-related brain activity with aging. The study tested 30 young and 30 older adults using concealed information tests, finding only strong EEG responses in the younger group.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalCortex·DateMay 20, 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.

The driving force behind tropical mudslides

A study led by a Syracuse University Ph.D. candidate reveals that tectonically active faults are the main force behind tropical mudslides in Colombia. The research uses thermochronology data to show that erosion rates are highest near areas with active faults, not just precipitation rates.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalTectonics·DateMay 20, 2021

Electrons riding a double wave

Researchers have developed a novel hybrid accelerator that uses both plasma acceleration and electron bunches to accelerate particles to high energies. The new technology has the potential to shrink existing accelerators by up to 1000 times, making them more compact and cost-effective.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021

A brand new cocktail to fight HIV

Researchers at CRCHUM and Yale University develop a cocktail that limits viral replication and decreases the HIV reservoir by destroying infected cells. The study successfully delays virus rebound, offering promising new therapeutic avenues against HIV.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMay 20, 2021

'No level of smoke exposure is safe'

A study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy is associated with epigenetic changes in babies, which can increase the risk of developmental disorders and cancer. The study analyzed data from over 100 pregnant women and found correlations between low levels of cotinine, a n...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 19, 2021

Mapping the quantum frontier, one layer at a time

Researchers at Harvard University used ultracold chemistry to test current quantum theories on chemical reactions, mapping the quantum frontier. They collected data on 57 possible reaction channels, confirming accuracy of statistical theory for most but revealing significant deviations in others.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMay 19, 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.

Self-affirmation can help Black med students achieve residency goals

A new study from Northwestern University found that self-affirmation can help Black medical students overcome fatigue, improve their sense of belonging, and reduce competitiveness for high-need residency spots. The intervention also showed promise in reducing stereotype threat and improving residency goal stability.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Social Issues·DateMay 19, 2021

How a small fish coped with being isolated from the sea

Researchers analyzed 12,000-year-old fish bones from three-spine sticklebacks to study the evolutionary process. They found that genetic variants enabling adaptation to freshwater existed in ocean populations thousands of years ago.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 19, 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.

Different physical activity 'cocktails' have similar health benefits

Researchers identified multiple ways to achieve the same health benefits from exercise, as long as it includes plenty of light physical activity. The study found that replacing sedentary time with just two minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise is more efficient than replacing it with light physical activity.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 19, 2021