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Science News Archive 2021


Page 326 of 510

Need to vent? Turn to real-life support, not social media

A study by Michigan State University found that excessive social media use can lead to poor mental health due to limited real-life social support. The research suggests that people who engage in too much social media use often receive less social support in their daily lives, which can negatively impact their mental well-being.

Applying UV light to common disinfectants makes them safer to use

A new study from the University of Waterloo discovered that UVC light can neutralize benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a common ingredient in disinfectants, making them safer for humans and the environment. The treatment reduces BAK's toxicity and minimizes its harmful effects on skin and eyes.

Housing subsidies reduce health care costs for vulnerable veterans

Veterans who received temporary financial assistance for housing had fewer hospital visits and an average reduction in health care costs of $2,800 over two years compared to those who did not receive the benefit. This model could help better serve homeless Americans, including non-veterans.

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.

Previously unrecognized tsunami hazard identified in coastal cities

Researchers discovered overlooked tsunami hazards linked to undersea strike-slip faults, especially in areas like the San Francisco Bay and Izmit Bay. The study highlights the need to reassess tsunami hazard ratings for underwater strike-slip faults traversing narrow bays worldwide.

Volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals'

A Rutgers University study found that volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' in their bodies than the general public. The chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are linked to numerous health conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Plastic pollution in the deep sea: A geological perspective

Research highlights the persistence of plastic waste in deep-sea environments, with potential implications for marine life and the sedimentary record. The study suggests that plastics can survive for thousands of years in ocean trenches, posing a significant challenge to mitigation efforts.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Thermal resilience of Red Sea corals

The study found that Red Sea corals can withstand temperatures up to 32°C without major gene expression changes, but 34.5°C is above the lethal limit for some species. The corals' resilient gene expression enhances their chances of survival in a warming world.

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.

At the heart of globalization

The new Käte Hamburger International Research Center will study globalization from the dynamics of 'dis:connectivity', considering opposing forces, diversions, and loss of connectivity. Researchers hope to develop a practice-based understanding of globalization combining scholarly approaches with aesthetic points of view.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Prehistoric humans first traversed Australia by 'superhighways'

Researchers created detailed maps of prehistoric human migration to Australia, identifying 'superhighways' that aligned with earliest known archaeological sites. The approach could help forecast modern-day human migration and inform the search for undiscovered archaeological sites.

UTEP study examines movement in children with autism

A UTEP study published in Perceptual and Motor Skills found that children with autism exhibit highly individualized responses to live animation biofeedback when learning motor skills. The results suggest that each child with autism requires tailored instruction to overcome their unique motor learning characteristics.

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 class of drug gives hope to some ovarian cancer patients

A study published in Nature Communications found that rucaparib is effective in treating ovarian cancers with inherited or somatic mutations in DNA repair genes. The drug targets the Achilles heel of cancers with defects in DNA repair, outperforming chemotherapy in early treatment stages.

Strong and flexible cofactors

Scientists have created a cube-shaped iron-sulfur cluster that can support a multiple bond between iron and nitrogen, a structural motif involved in biological nitrogen fixation. The discovery shows the cluster's ability to accommodate an unusual bond without distorting its structure.

Bai lab develops stable, efficient, anode-free sodium battery

Bai lab creates a stable, efficient anode-free sodium battery that achieves high performance while eliminating the need for a traditional anode material. The new design uses a thin layer of copper foil as the current collector, resulting in significant improvements in size and cost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Less precipitation means less plant diversity

A recent study suggests that climate change may cause a decline in plant diversity, particularly in dryland regions. The researchers found that changes in precipitation levels have a greater effect on plant diversity in drylands compared to wetter regions.

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.

Lead found in rural drinking water supplies in West Africa

A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.

Modulating placebo and nocebo effects

Repeated transcranial direct current stimulation of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex boosts the pain-relieving placebo effect while blunting the pain-enhancing nocebo effect. This suggests a potential new approach to modulating placebo and nocebo effects and improving pain management outcomes.

Clayborne to study response properties of porphyrin molecules

Porphyrin molecules have electrical and optical properties that can be tailored for molecular-based materials and quantum information technologies. Researchers will develop a comprehensive database for porphyrins and metal-porphyrins with experimental and theoretical values, including response functions and conductance curves.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Assessing child abuse hotline inquiries in wake of COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in child abuse hotline inquiries was observed, with a notable rise in calls from previously unscreened individuals. The study suggests that this shift may be attributed to increased isolation and reduced supervision among children.

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.

Heart cells cozy up to prevent deadly arrhythmias

Researchers discovered subtle changes in potassium, calcium, and sodium levels regulate heartbeats. Increasing sodium and calcium levels together reduces distances between cells, improving cardiac conduction.

Tailor-made therapy of multi-resistant tuberculosis

Researchers developed a genetic material-based catalogue to predict antibiotic resistance in MDR-TB, enabling accelerated treatment development. The study found that 99% of predicted drug combinations were effective in traditional microbiological testing.

Solar development: super bloom or super bust for desert species?

A new study by the University of California - Davis suggests that rapid solar development may harm rare desert plant species more than common ones. The research found that weather and landscape features influenced how plants respond to solar panels, with rare species facing potential threats from panel shade.

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.

UM professor awarded $430,000 NASA grant

Hilary Martens receives $443,000 grant to investigate the structure of the Earth's interior using GPS observations of ocean tides. The project aims to improve understanding of plate tectonics and surface hazards like earthquakes and volcanoes.

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.

Suitable spawning habitat awaits salmon

Researchers assess underwater habitat to understand how spawning fish would fare in the river's blocked stretch, finding acres of suitable habitat. The study reveals that hundreds of miles of streams are available to support both adult and juvenile salmon.

How a bad day at work led to better COVID predictions

A team of researchers, including Saket Navlakha and Dr. Sejal Morjaria, developed a computational tool to predict COVID-19 severity in cancer patients. The tool has an accuracy rate of 70-85% and prevents unnecessary expensive testing, improving patient care.

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.

Speeding new treatments

Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center have created a powerful computational tool called REDIAL-2020. This online suite of models enables scientists to quickly identify small molecules capable of disarming COVID-19, narrowing the field for future experiments and accelerating the discovery process.

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.

A new way to make AR/VR glasses

University of Rochester researchers developed a novel technology using freeform optics and metasurfaces to deliver high-quality images with socially acceptable optics. The metaform component gathers visible light rays from all directions and redirects them directly into the human eye, achieving a significant improvement in image quality.

Mating with relatives? Not a big deal in nature

Researchers at Stockholm University found little evidence that animals avoid mating with relatives, contradicting long-held assumptions. This study synthesizes 139 experimental studies across 88 species and has implications for conservation breeding programs aimed at maintaining genetic diversity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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