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Science News Archive 2021


Page 336 of 510

Pandemic significantly increases insomnia in health care workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a 44% increase in insomnia disorder among health care workers, with the highest rates among those who spent less time in direct patient care. Surprisingly, about 10% of faculty physicians and nurses reported their insomnia improving after the onset of the pandemic.

Fishing in African waters

African waters contribute to global fish supply, generating $15 billion for Africa's GDP in 2011. However, climate change and pollution threaten fish stocks, raising concerns about sustainability. A new study uses AIS satellite data to describe spatial characteristics of African and foreign industrial fishing activities.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The new EU climate target could phase out coal power in Europe as early as 2030

A new EU climate target of cutting emissions by 55% by 2030 will dramatically speed up the decarbonization of Europe's power sector, leading to a significant phaseout of coal power. Renewable energies are expected to contribute nearly three-quarters of power generation in 2030 and reach zero emissions in the power sector by 2040.

Five studies point to dangers of environmental exposures

Recent studies point to links between environmental exposures and health risks, including respiratory problems from hog farms and inflammation caused by triclosan. Gulf War veterans may also be more susceptible to alcohol-induced liver damage due to environmental factors.

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.

ASBMB announces its first class of fellows

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has launched an honorific program to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the field. The first class of 30 fellows includes renowned scientists from around the world, who will be honored at the society's annual meeting.

Switching to light

A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has developed a new optogenetic tool called BLADE that allows for controlled expression of genes in Escherichia coli using blue light. This breakthrough simplifies biotechnology methods and enables targeted protein production and signaling process studies.

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.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone may cause lung damage

A new mouse model of acute lung injury reveals that exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone can induce COVID-19-like symptoms. The study's findings suggest a previously unknown mechanism causing lung damage, potentially leading to new targets for therapeutic development.

U-M RNA scientists identify many genes involved in neuron development

A team of University of Michigan researchers identified many genes crucial for fruit fly neuron development, including three previously unknown ones. The discovery provides insights into the complex process of neurogenesis and may lead to new approaches for understanding human brain development and regeneration.

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.

Don't go fracking my heart

A new study found that people living near fracking sites are at a higher risk of heart attacks, with rates increasing by 1.4-2.8% depending on age group and level of activity. The research also highlights the potential negative impact of fracking on cardiovascular health in rural communities.

Plasma acceleration: It's all in the mix

Researchers at DESY have achieved two critical milestones in developing innovative plasma accelerators. By combining nitrogen and artificial intelligence, they significantly reduced the energy distribution of accelerated electron bunches, a crucial property for various applications. The team also successfully used AI to optimize the ac...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Polymer-based coatings on metallic implants improve bone-implant integration

Researchers developed natural polymer coatings that significantly improved metal electrochemical corrosion properties and allowed for cell attachment while disallowing bacterial attachment. These coatings can be modified to possess multifunctionality, opening a new era of applications in bone tissue engineering.

Circadian clock in the mouse placenta

A study reveals that the mouse placenta's circadian clock regulates the expression and activity of ABCB1, a drug efflux transporter, in a 24h rhythm. This finding suggests that the timing of maternal treatment could be crucial to avoid non-desirable effects on foetal development during pregnancy.

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.

Study illuminates how COVID-19 worms its way into the brain

New research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can infect both neurons and astrocytes in the brain, leading to unpredictable neurological symptoms. Astrocytes play a key role in spreading the infection to neurons, contributing to severe effects in some patients.

Men's loneliness linked to an increased risk of cancer

A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that middle-aged men who experience loneliness are at an increased risk of developing cancer. The study, which followed 2,570 men over time, found that loneliness was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer.

ORNL licenses revolutionary AI system to General Motors for automotive use

General Motors has licensed the award-winning AI software system MENNDL from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to accelerate advanced driver assistance systems technology and design. MENNDL uses evolution to design optimal convolutional neural networks, dramatically speeding up the process of recognizing patterns in datasets.

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.

New method preserves viable fruit fly embryos in liquid nitrogen

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a method to cryopreserve fruit fly embryos, preserving their viability for up to generations. This breakthrough enables genetic research, disease modeling, and potential pest control applications, such as combating the invasive Drosophila suzukii.

Improved catalyst may translate to petrochemical production gains

Researchers have developed a new method for synthesizing zeolite catalysts that improves catalytic performance by up to five-fold. The improved hierarchical zeolite catalysts show unprecedented improvement in stability and selectivity, potentially reducing the need for costly turnarounds.

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.

Droperidol most effective sedation medication for agitation with less sides effects

A randomized trial found that droperidol was more effective than lorazepam or ziprasidone for sedation in patients with acute undifferentiated agitation. Additionally, it was associated with lower rates of respiratory depression compared to the other medications. The study suggests that larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Could corals use sound to communicate?

Researchers found evidence of sound-related genes in corals, which could enable them to use sound to interact with their environment. This discovery has significant implications for understanding coral communication and developing restoration and conservation projects to protect these critical ecosystems.

EHR usability issues linked to nurse burnout and patient outcomes

A new study investigated associations between EHR usability and nurse job outcomes (burnout, job dissatisfaction) and surgical patient outcomes (inpatient mortality, readmission). The results found that EHR usability is critical to reducing nurse burnout and improving patient outcomes.

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.

Diabetes drug could protect against dangerous infection

Researchers found that metformin inhibited the spread of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) in three study models, including cell cultures and mouse models. The treatment reduced C. diff proliferation and increased the growth of closely related nonpathogenic bacteria.

Nontoxic, flexible energy converters could power wearable devices

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method to harness waste heat from wearables using nanotube-based thermoelectric generation. This technology converts uneven heat distribution into electrical energy, reducing the need for batteries and making wearable devices more sustainable.

New approaches for teaching science remotely arise from the COVID-19 crisis

A new paper explores effective methods for teaching science remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, including experiential hands-on activities, interactive labs, and environmental science research projects. These approaches enhanced student engagement, collaboration, and learning outcomes, despite the challenges of remote instruction.

Self-reported daytime sleepiness is associated with telomere shortening

Researchers discovered that individuals reporting daytime sleepiness have shorter telomeres compared to those without sleepiness, even when adjusting for other factors. This association suggests that daytime sleepiness may contribute to telomere shortening and increased cardiovascular risk.

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.

Life in a wheatbelt oasis

The study highlights the importance of creating and managing habitat oases to protect remaining species in threatened habitats. The research reveals that a diverse array of habitat types is critical for the survival and thrival of birds and other animals, such as the endangered Australian numbat.

Capsaicin analog could help treatment-resistant lung cancer

A new study found that a non-pungent synthetic capsaicin analog, arvanil, made small cell lung cancer cells more responsive to chemotherapy. The compound enhanced the anti-cancer activity of SN38, a commonly used treatment for relapsed small cell lung cancer.

Five new insights in the fight against COVID-19

Researchers have made significant findings in the fight against COVID-19, including a link between long-term blood vessel problems and an increased risk of heart disease. Studies also suggest promising leads for antiviral treatments and potential therapies using stem cells, as well as changes in science education during the pandemic.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Lack of educational opportunities influence drug use for rural youth

A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Wilson Majee found that rural youth who lack access to education are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse. The study suggests that a combination of factors, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources, can create feelings of hopelessness and desp...

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.

Women's football in Japan had a rich history before WWII

Researchers uncovered evidence of women's football in pre-war Japan through historical records and photographs. They found that football was a popular sport among girls, particularly during the Taisho era, with casual play and competitions involving throwing and kicking the ball.

Horizontal transmission can cause severe and persistent eye inflammation

A new study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University clinicians reveals that horizontal transmission is responsible for HTLV-1 uveitis, a severe eye inflammation. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, showing promise in managing the condition, but highlighting the need to consider infection route in diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Seaweed solutions

Researchers propose using cultivated seaweed to draw down available nutrients, limiting algae blooms and oxygen-poor dead zones. Seaweed aquaculture could also generate revenue through the production of biofuel, fertilizer, and food products.

Few young adult men have gotten the HPV vaccine, study finds

A recent study found that only 16% of male teenagers received the HPV vaccine, highlighting a significant gap in vaccination rates. The vaccine is essential for preventing oropharyngeal cancer, which affects 80% of male patients diagnosed with this condition.