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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 319


Page 319 of 510

Ben-Gurion U. and Arizona State U. Consortium awarded Energy Cyber Center grant

A winning consortium led by Ben-Gurion University and Arizona State University will receive up to $6 million under a U.S.-Israel Energy Center research funding grant. The project aims to develop technologies to mitigate cyberattacks on energy infrastructure using data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·DateMay 6, 2021

2D materials offer unique stretching properties

Three carbon-based materials have been predicted to exhibit omnidirectional auxetic behavior due to their negative Poisson's ratio. The findings suggest that these materials could be useful in photovoltaic devices or as light-powered catalysts.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateMay 6, 2021

Realization of the highest laser intensity ever reached

Researchers at CoReLS have realized the highest laser intensity ever reached, exceeding 1023 W/cm2. This achievement allows for the exploration of extreme physical conditions and novel physical phenomena, such as Compton scattering and photon-photon scattering in nonlinear regimes.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalOptica·DateMay 6, 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.

Researchers develop mathematical model predicting disease spread patterns

A team of environmental engineers has presented a model that predicts where a disease will spread from an outbreak, in what patterns and how quickly. The model, based on data from county health agencies, shows similar patterns across regions, including urban and rural areas.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2021

UChicago Medicine's ED maintains HIV screening despite pandemic interruptions

The University of Chicago Medicine's emergency department continued routine HIV screening alongside COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. The number of HIV tests remained at pre-pandemic levels, while the rate of acute HIV diagnoses rose. This successful implementation is attributed to targeted efforts and a strong partnership between ...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 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.

Open source tool can help identify gerrymandering in voting maps

A research team at Washington State University has developed an improved computational method to detect improper gerrymandering using the open source tool GerryChain. The tool creates a pool of alternate maps that meet legal voting criteria, allowing observers to detect extreme outliers and identify potential partisan goals.

SourceWashington State University·JournalHarvard Data Science Review·DateMay 6, 2021

New research finds rise of frequent cannabis vaping among US high school seniors

Research reveals a significant rise in frequent cannabis vaping among US high school seniors between 2018 and 2019. The study found that frequent use increased by 131.4%, with notable increases among female students, those 18 years or older, and students who used other drugs within the past year.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 6, 2021

Obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 for men than women

A recent study found that obesity, particularly class II and III, is associated with a higher risk of death, severe pneumonia, and intubation in both men and women with COVID-19. However, the association was stronger in men than women, suggesting that obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 in men.

SourceSpringer·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases·DateMay 6, 2021
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.

Supernovae twins open up new possibilities for precision cosmology

Cosmologists have found a way to double the accuracy of measuring distances to supernova explosions, enabling precise study of dark energy. The Nearby Supernova Factory collaboration has developed a new method that quadruples the number of supernovae used, allowing for more accurate measurements and reducing biases.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 6, 2021

What can a dinosaur's inner ear tell us? Just listen

A new study from Yale University reveals that the shape of a dinosaur's inner ear can provide reliable signs about its behavior, including flying ability, movement, and parenting. The research found clusters of species with similar inner ear traits corresponding to their behaviors.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Engineers and biologists join forces to reveal how seals evolved to swim

A Monash University-led study combines computer simulations with live seal footage to explain the origins of efficient swimming in seals. The research reveals that different swimming styles evolved within the same seal group, with some species using wing-like front flippers for speed and agility.

SourceMonash University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 6, 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.

AI is not perfect -- Domain knowledge is a key in engineering

A research team at KICT has developed a fully-automated peak-picking method for extracting modal frequencies in stay-cables without prior setting or human manipulation. The method utilizes domain knowledge based on the physical characteristics of stay-cables, outperforming state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and robustness.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAutomation in Construction·DateMay 6, 2021

Transforming atmospheric carbon into industrially useful materials

Scientists at Salk Institute successfully transformed tobacco and corn husks into silicon carbide (SiC) while sequestering up to 50,000-fold more carbon from seed to lab-grown plant. The process retains about 14 percent of the plant-captured carbon, offering a potential solution for climate change mitigation.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalRSC Advances·DateMay 6, 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.

Health care use after COVID-19 diagnosis, home monitoring

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients enrolled in home monitoring programs had significantly lower healthcare use compared to those not enrolled. This suggests that home monitoring can help reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMay 6, 2021

Towards 2D memory technology by magnetic graphene

Researchers have experimentally confirmed that magnetic graphene can generate large spin signals and transfer spin information over long distances. This discovery paves the way for the development of ultra-compact 2D spin-logic devices with strong spin-polarization, promising high-speed and energy-saving electronics.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 6, 2021

PCB contamination in Icelandic orcas: a matter of diet

A new study found significant variation in PCB concentrations among Icelandic orcas, with those eating mixed diets having up to 9 times higher levels. This contradicts earlier research and highlights the need for individualized assessments of health risks in killer whale populations.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 6, 2021

Skin and immune cells coordinate defenses against assault

A new study reveals that skin's epidermis layer is comprised of an army of immune cells that station themselves at regular intervals across the skin. When necessary, these cells reposition themselves to protect vulnerable areas, forming a dynamic surveillance system.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMay 6, 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.

Story tip from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

Researchers developed the COVID Control app, which predicts COVID-19 outbreaks using user-reported symptoms and correlates with increased coronavirus prevalence in Baltimore City. The study showed that new loss of taste or smell was a strong predictor of confirmed cases, averaging five days before an outbreak.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 6, 2021

Discovery of genetic drivers linked to progression in Parkinson's disease

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital has uncovered five genetic locations associated with progression in Parkinson's disease, identifying potential new targets for treatment. The research also developed a risk score to predict progression to dementia, a key factor in quality of life.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 6, 2021

Direct observation and measurement of quantum entanglement at macroscopic scale

Researchers have successfully demonstrated direct observation and measurement of quantum entanglement at a macroscopic scale using vibrating membranes. This breakthrough enables the extension of measurements to larger systems, with potential implications for quantum computing and fundamental physics research.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Small apoptotic bodies: Nirvana, birth and death

Scientists have discovered nano-scaled apoptotic bodies as a new brain-targeting drug carrier, overcoming the blood-brain barrier challenge. The small apoptotic bodies (sABs) are stable in serum, have a long circulating time, and high drug loading efficiency, making them a promising candidate for drug delivery.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMay 6, 2021

Diversity and universality of jamming

The study reveals that random close packing of spheres exhibits common universal critical properties, despite the diversity of its details. The researchers showed that jammed states are marginally stable and can be described under a unified framework.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2021

Dinosaurs that hunted in the dark

A new study found that the tiny desert-living dinosaur Shuvuuia had extraordinary vision and owl-like hearing for nocturnal life in the Mongolian desert. The team measured the size of the eyes and inner ears of over 100 bird and dinosaur species, revealing that Shuvuuia's lagena was almost identical in relative size to today's barn owl.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 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.

Insulin regulates body fat independent of dietary carbohydrates

Recent studies refute the theory that excessive carbohydrate consumption leads to insulin-driven weight gain. Instead, basal insulin levels in response to energy balance are key to regulating weight gain, suggesting alternative models for body fat regulation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021

Tropical ginger treatment for blocking inflammation

A study published in International Immunology found that a tropical ginger-derived compound, ACA, attenuates mitochondrial damage and reduces inflammation by blocking the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. This suggests ACA may be a promising therapeutic strategy for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Immunology·DateMay 6, 2021

Protected by nanobrushes

Researchers developed nanosized cargo packages that can deliver water-soluble proteins into cancer cells while keeping them intact. The 'nanobrushes' use polymer strands with antibodies on the outside and protected proteins within.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 6, 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.

Homing in on the smallest possible laser

Scientists have successfully generated a Bose-Einstein Condensate out of exciton-polaritons, enabling the creation of the smallest possible solid-state lasers. This phenomenon holds promise for technological advancements in optoelectronic circuits.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 6, 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial results show efficacy against the B.1.351 variant in SA study

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an overall efficacy of 49% in the initial analysis and 60% among healthy adults without HIV, providing protection against mild disease caused by the B.1.351 variant prevalent in South Africa. The updated analysis showed 100% protection against severe Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 6, 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.

Scrap for cash before coins

Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMay 6, 2021

In the Alps, climate change affects biodiversity

A recent review analyzed over 2,000 species in the Alps, finding that many have shifted their life cycles earlier and are moving higher up the elevational gradient as climate change intensifies. This shift is often lagging behind the rate of climate change, with some species experiencing little or no elevation change.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiological Reviews·DateMay 6, 2021

Swiping, swabbing elevates processing plant food safety

Researchers developed a rapid-testing method to check cleaning protocols in commercial food processing plants. The ATP swab test detected microorganisms on surfaces, improving environmental hygiene and product quality. The study showed that targeted cleaning can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 6, 2021

New method boosts syngas generation from biopolyols

Researchers developed a new method to generate syngas from biopolyols using photocatalytic biomass conversion at room temperature, exhibiting high efficiency and selectivity. The catalyst featuring surface sulfate ions increased electron-proton transfer, promoting syngas production with 9-fold higher CO generation rate.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 6, 2021

By age 10, retinoblastoma patients' learning and life skills rebound

Researchers found that retinoblastoma survivors who received treatment began to recover their early learning and life skills by age 10. The study highlights the importance of early intervention to promote growth and development in young children with retinoblastoma.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMay 6, 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.

Cells are more resilient to environmental changes than previously thought

A study by Toronto researchers found that Baker's yeast cells employ a consistent network of gene interactions to coordinate growth in response to various environments. The majority of genetic interactions remained present across different conditions, revealing the stability of the cellular genetic program.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021

Unusual semimetal shows evidence of unique surface conduction states

Scientists experimentally verify exotic surface conduction states in topological semimetals, materials that conduct on the surface but insulate inside. A new study reveals a coupled pair of electronic Weyl orbits under a magnetic field, opening doors to controlling these phenomena via external fields and interface engineering.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Novel tool could fast-track cell discoveries

A new protein analysis tool, called BGIS, can quickly assess protein function with no special equipment needed. This breakthrough could accelerate basic science and medical discoveries by identifying proteins' functions and regulating their activities.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalFEBS Letters·DateMay 6, 2021

ORNL's Sergei Kalinin elected Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America

Sergei Kalinin, a senior distinguished member at the Microscopy Society of America, has been elected as a Fellow. He is recognized for his pioneering work in quantitative scanning probe and scanning transmission electron microscopy. His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence to advanced electron and scanning probe microsc...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateMay 6, 2021