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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 337


Page 337 of 510

Incentives could turn costs of biofuel mandates into environmental benefits

Researchers argue that targeted policies and incentives are needed to promote perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options, reducing nitrogen runoff and improving water quality. In contrast, a cellulosic ethanol mandate with the right policies could provide substantial economic and environmental benefits.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 27, 2021

Shoe scanner technology on the horizon

Researchers developed a holographic millimeter wave scanning technology that can detect threats concealed under clothing and footwear, reducing false alarms. The new technology allows for shoe scans while passengers wear shoes on, potentially speeding up the screening process by 15-20%.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 27, 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.

HPV vaccination in young adults

The study estimates that only about 24% of young adults aged 18 to 21 in the United States have been fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). The low vaccination rate is a cause for concern given the significant health risks associated with HPV infection, including cervical cancer and other types of cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateApr 27, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Could heart medications increase COVID-19 risk?

A new mouse study found that ACE inhibitors can increase levels of SARS-CoV-2 receptors in the body. The researchers suggest that people taking these medications should work with their healthcare providers to manage their treatments.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 26, 2021

Genetic discovery in songbird provides new insights

A study published in PNAS found that zebra finches have a low-density lipoprotein receptor gene with key domains missing, allowing them to carry high levels of good cholesterol while avoiding high cholesterol-related diseases. This genetic adaptation may hold clues for improving cardiovascular disease treatment.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 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.

Toward painless oral insulin administration

Researchers from Kumamoto University have successfully developed oral insulin using DNP peptides and zinc insulin hexamers. This breakthrough aims to improve the quality of life for diabetics who struggle with painful self-injection therapy.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateApr 26, 2021

Shopping online or locally - an individual choice

A study by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) found that personal opinions on purchasing security, environmental protection, and work conditions play a significant role in deciding whether to shop online or locally. The study used microeconometric models to analyze the shopping habits of 1,400 consumers in the Middle Upper-Rhine R...

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalApplied Geography·DateApr 26, 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.

Greenhouse warming of early Mars

A global climate model simulation suggests that a cloud greenhouse effect could have warmed early Mars to support liquid surface water, with low clouds and warm stable climates emerging near surface water-ice patches. The results are consistent with geological data indicating a warm, arid early climate for the planet.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Skin and bones repaired by bioprinting during surgery

Using bioprinting, researchers successfully repaired traumatic injuries to the skin and bones of the face and skull in a rat model. The technique involved printing both bone and soft tissue layers, achieving 100% closure of soft tissue in four weeks and 80% closure of bone in six weeks.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 26, 2021

Nanobodies inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection

Australian researchers have identified neutralizing nanobodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells, paving the way for alternative treatments. The discovery of a nanobody recognizing emerging global variants and original SARS virus suggests potential cross-protection against human coronaviruses.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Study evaluates biomarker criteria for assessing Alzheimer's risk

A new study used autopsy data to evaluate the AT(N) framework, a standard tool for assessing Alzheimer's risk. The researchers found that even in the highest-risk group, a third of individuals did not develop dementia, highlighting the complexity of Alzheimer's disease and the need for additional biomarkers.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·DateApr 26, 2021
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.

Persuading consumers to go green

Researchers found that using gain language, which highlights positive benefits, can increase eco-friendly behavior. Anthropomorphism, such as giving objects human characteristics, also boosts green compliance. The study suggests that businesses can save money by shifting customers' behaviors to be greener.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateApr 26, 2021

Asteroid that hit Botswana in 2018 likely came from Vesta

An international team of researchers searched for pieces of the small asteroid 2018 LA, tracked in space and observed to impact Botswana on June 2, 2018. The recovered meteorites showed it likely came from Vesta, a second-largest asteroid in our Solar System.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalMeteoritics and Planetary Science·DateApr 26, 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.

Smell training, not steroids, best treatment for COVID-19 smell loss

A new systematic review suggests that corticosteroids are not an effective treatment for COVID-19-induced smell loss. Instead, 'smell training' - a process of sniffing different odours twice daily for several months - is recommended as a cheap and side-effect-free treatment option.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalInternational Forum of Allergy & Rhinology·DateApr 26, 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.

Six factors that determine success when working from home

Research from DTU found that young people experience better work-life balance, but more uncertainty about their work. Managers report higher efficiency and less lack of important work tools compared to employees. The six factors can help organizations understand how to promote efficiency and well-being when working from home.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 26, 2021

Probing deep space with Interstellar

The Interstellar Probe mission aims to study how our Sun interacts with the local interstellar medium and learn more about the formation and evolution of the heliosphere. The probe will take 'images' of the heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms and observe extragalactic background light, shedding new light on the region.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·DateApr 26, 2021

Remotely sensing economic inequality

Researchers estimate economic inequality using satellite sensing of nighttime light emissions and population density data. The study finds that inequality is lower in high-income countries and hotspots are evident in Russia, China and Southeast Asia.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Hand hygiene compliance rate during COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers evaluated hand hygiene compliance during COVID-19 in a hospital using an automated monitoring system. The study found improved adherence to hand hygiene protocols, resulting in reduced healthcare-associated infections.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 26, 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.

$2.5 million grant will support algebra teachers' professional development

A $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support algebra teachers' professional development at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The goal is to create new online materials that help students better understand algebra and develop critical thinking skills, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateApr 26, 2021

Stabilizing electrochemical interfaces using boron Lewis acids

Researchers stabilized electrochemical interfaces using boron Lewis acids, resulting in ultralow leak current and improved cyclic stability. The study demonstrates potential for designing high-performance boron-doped carbon materials towards energy storage applications.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of Energy Chemistry·DateApr 26, 2021

New cancer algorithm flags genetic weaknesses in tumours

A new algorithm, MMRDetect, identifies tumours with mismatch repair deficiencies that can be targeted by immunotherapies. The algorithm uses mutational signatures from genome sequencing data to personalize cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Cancer·DateApr 26, 2021
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.

Study looked at how nurses view touch as a form of care

A study by WSU College of Nursing faculty found that nurses perceive touch as an essential tool for emotional care and comfort. Nurses see massage as a valuable resource in patient care, but express concerns about boundaries and assessment of patient openness to touch.

SourceWashington State University·JournalWestern Journal of Nursing Research·DateApr 26, 2021

First village-level mapping of childhood undernutrition in India reveals local disparities

The study found substantial variations in undernutrition across villages, with some areas having rates as low as 5% and others exceeding 70%. A machine-learning model was developed to predict the prevalence of undernutrition in every village, enabling policymakers to prioritize villages struggling with high burdens of undernutrition.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have a small risk of heart failure

A new Mount Sinai study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have a small but significant risk of developing heart failure, even without a previous history of heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors. The study's findings may prompt clinicians to monitor for signs of congestive heart failure more closely in these patients.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 26, 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.

Material scientists find new angle toward better heat transfer

Researchers have developed a class of materials that manipulates thermal radiation, allowing for efficient energy conversion systems and improved sensing technologies. By directing heat in specific directions over broad spectra, the new material offers capabilities for imaging, sensing applications, solar heating, waste heat recovery, ...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·DateApr 26, 2021

What spurs people to save the planet? Stories or facts?

A Johns Hopkins University study reveals that stories about pollution, such as a man's death from contaminated shellfish, increase willingness to buy eco-friendly products among Democrats by 17%, whereas it decreases their spending by 14%. In contrast, Republican participants showed no change or even decreased spending after hearing th...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalOne Earth·DateApr 26, 2021

Star light, star bright...as explained by math

KAUST researchers create a new approach to capture evolving periodicity in variable star brightness, expanding cyclostationary theory. This allows for modeling of phenomena like solar irradiance and climate change.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Signal Processing·DateApr 26, 2021

New rapid COVID-19 test the result of university-industry partnership

A novel COVID-19 test has been created by pairing mass spectrometry with machine learning, achieving high accuracy rates of 98.3% for positives and 96% for negatives. The test uses a mass spectrometer to analyze nasal swabs in minutes, providing rapid results.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 26, 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.

Implications are global in new study predicting human exodus in Bangladesh

A new study predicting human exodus in Bangladesh due to sea-level rise and climate change has significant global implications. The research model considers economic and human behavior factors, predicting that districts along the Bay of Bengal will be the first impacted, triggering a ripple effect across the country.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·DateApr 26, 2021

Can a newborn's brain discriminate speech sounds?

Researchers found that newborns' brains can process voice pitch but struggle with the spectral and temporal fine structure of sounds. The study's findings suggest that neural encoding of speech sounds develops over time, providing a potential biomarker for early detection of language impairments.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 26, 2021

Surprise in the deep sea

A team of scientists has discovered that sponges leave trails on the sea floor in the Arctic deep sea, leading to speculation about their possible active movement. The findings, published in Current Biology, challenge previous assumptions that most sponges are attached or passively moved by ocean currents.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 26, 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.

Do fish feel pain? UTA team says it's likely.

Research suggests that fish may experience painful events despite lacking certain brain regions associated with human pain processing. The UTA team drew on contemporary neuroscience to argue that the brain can compensate for such regions, implying a higher likelihood of pain in fish.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPhilosophical Psychology·DateApr 26, 2021

Researchers demonstrate fully recyclable printed electronics

Engineers at Duke University have created the world's first fully recyclable printed electronics by demonstrating a fully functional transistor made from three carbon-based inks. The researchers successfully reclaimed nearly 100% of all-carbon-based transistors while retaining their future functionality.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Electronics·DateApr 26, 2021

Study shows smartphone app can identify autism symptoms in toddlers

Researchers at Duke University developed a digital app that assesses eye gaze patterns of young children to identify potential autism symptoms. The app uses computer vision and machine learning to track attention patterns, potentially providing an early screening tool for autism.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 26, 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.

TBI: A new roadmap for advancing personalized treatment solutions

A new tool called PhenoBench standardizes data analysis for traumatic brain injury (TBI), enabling researchers to identify patient subgroups for personalized care. The study aims to provide tailored treatments that improve recovery and reduce long-term consequences of TBI.

SourceCohen Veterans Bioscience·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateApr 26, 2021

Cell adaptation in critically ill could be difference between life and death

A new study reveals that critically ill patients' cells adapt to their conditions by producing energy more efficiently, with differences observed in survivors versus non-survivors. The research found that cell complexes transport electrons more effectively in those who survived, suggesting a possible key to human resilience.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalRedox Biology·DateApr 26, 2021

UBCO researcher re-evaluates estimate of the world's high-altitude population

The study provides global and country-level estimates of humans living at high altitude, with 81.6 million people found to live above 2,500m. This data is crucial for understanding the impact of life at high altitude on human physiology, adaptation, health, and disease.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021