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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 342


Page 342 of 510

Climate has shifted the axis of the Earth

Research suggests that global warming caused a shift in the Earth's axis due to glacial melting and changes in land water storage. The study analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, finding that water loss on land contributed significantly to the eastward change in polar drift.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 22, 2021

Salad or cheeseburger? Your co-workers shape your food choices

A large study of hospital employees found that individuals tend to mirror the food choices of others in their social circles, influencing both healthy and unhealthy eating patterns. The researchers discovered that casual acquaintances can also shape eating behavior, with peer pressure being a key factor.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 22, 2021

How we know whether and when to pay attention

Researchers identified two distinct types of uncertainty affecting human anticipatory behavior: whether an event will occur and when it will happen. The brain dynamically adjusts its readiness to respond based on separate probability estimates of these two uncertainties, allowing for more accurate predictions in real-time.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 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.

Less is more for the next generation of CAR T cells

Researchers found that a shorter 'linker' on CAR T cells improves their response to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests that modifying the length of linkers can improve CAR T cell function and overcome current limitations.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 22, 2021

Law professor argues for removing police from traffic enforcement

A new legal framework for traffic enforcement, proposed by University of Arkansas law professor Jordan Blair Woods, separates traffic laws from critical police functions. This would delegate most traffic enforcement to newly created traffic agencies, reducing racial and economic injustice in stops.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalStanford Law Review·DateApr 22, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Inspired by nature, the research to develop a new load-bearing material

Scientists at the University of Leeds have created a material that mimics human cartilage, providing shock-absorbing and lubrication properties. The new material has shown great potential in engineering, particularly in bearings, and could challenge traditional oil-lubricated systems.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateApr 22, 2021

Victoria Blaho receives prestigious Lina M. Obeid Award

Victoria Blaho, Ph.D., assistant professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys, received the first-ever Lina M. Obeid Award for her work on sphingolipids and their role in immune function, cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·DateApr 22, 2021

Army-funded research paves way for improved lasers, communications

Researchers designed and built two-dimensional arrays of closely packed micro-lasers that achieve power density orders of magnitude higher, paving the way for improved lasers, high-speed computing, and optical communications. The breakthrough enables single-mode lasing with enhanced emission power and increased coherence.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2021

Achieving privacy and integrity in the cloud

The PICOCRYPT project guarantees the integrity, privacy and effectiveness of computation on data stored in the cloud. Cryptographic techniques will be used to solve problems related to espionage and incorrect results.

SourceIMDEA Software Institute·DateApr 22, 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.

Mutations can reduce effect of hormonal treatment in early breast cancer

A small proportion of women with anti-estrogen treatment after breast cancer surgery have worse outcomes due to mutations in the estrogen receptor gene. Research found that 1% of breast cancer cases already at initial diagnosis have these resistant mutations, leading to poorer response to hormonal treatment and higher risk of recurrence.

SourceLund University·JournalJNCI Cancer Spectrum·DateApr 22, 2021

Immune system, not COVID virus, may pose greatest risk to pregnant women

A Yale University study found that pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are more likely to experience preterm births and neonatal problems due to a robust immune response in the placenta. The researchers also discovered that the virus's ACE2 receptors are present in most placentas during the first trimester, but disappear later.

SourceYale University·JournalMed·DateApr 22, 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.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk in NBA during 2020 season

Despite having clinically recovered from COVID-19, NBA players, staff, and vendors experienced persistent viral loads, indicating a high transmission risk. The study found that these individuals were more likely to transmit the virus to others, highlighting the need for continued precautions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 22, 2021

Political polarization: Often not as bad as we think

A new global study replicates earlier research in the US, finding that people's perceptions of their opponents are often exaggerated and misinformed. The study suggests that informing individuals about the true feelings of those on the opposite side can mitigate polarization.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 22, 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.

Freeze! Executioner protein caught in the act

WeHI researchers used monobodies to 'freeze' MLKL at different stages of its activation, mapping how its three-dimensional structure changed. This revealed potential target sites for drugs that could block necroptosis, a key contributor to inflammatory diseases.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2021

Unlocking Australia's biodiversity, one dataset at a time

The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a national biodiversity database that provides reliable data for scientists, policy-makers, and environmental planners. It contains nearly 95 million occurrence records of over 111,000 species, showcasing its potential to support the development of science and decision-making.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateApr 22, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Fighting harmful bacteria with nanoparticles

Researchers develop nanoparticles that penetrate human cells and destroy bacteria, offering new hope against antibiotic resistance. The particles use cerium oxide to create reactive oxygen species that kill germs, reducing the likelihood of resistance development.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalNanoscale·DateApr 22, 2021

Groundwater wells worldwide run risk of running dry

According to a new study, nearly 20% of groundwater wells globally are at risk of drying up if groundwater levels decline. This is largely due to increasing demand and inadequate governance or management, putting critical vulnerabilities to even modest reductions in groundwater levels.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 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.

Under pressure: Manipulating protein-mimicking molecules with hydrostatic pressure

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology discover that hydrostatic pressure can dynamically control the conformations of artificial molecules called foldamers, which mimic proteins. This finding opens doors to future development of pressure-sensitive materials and has implications for understanding biological processes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemical Science·DateApr 22, 2021

NAOC scientists make further step towards understanding dark energy

Researchers have made a significant step in understanding dark energy using the eBOSS survey, detecting its existence at a 11-sigma significance. The study employed multi-tracer analysis to mitigate systematics and achieve robust cosmological results.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 22, 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.

Updated results on coronavirus vaccination effectiveness

The study found that the vaccine is highly effective across all age ranges, with 92% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease in individuals 70 years and older. Vaccine effectiveness varied among subpopulations, with slightly lower rates in multi-morbid populations and immunosuppressed individuals.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 22, 2021

'Stickiness' key to better diagnostics and pharmaceuticals

The University of Queensland's technology uses lasers to track microscale particles with world-record precision, measuring viscosity a thousand times faster than ever before. This breakthrough may lead to a fundamental revision of scientists' understanding of cells, enabling faster and more accurate pharmaceutical testing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 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.

Plant provenance influences pollinators

Researchers at the University of Münster studied the impact of plant seed provenance on pollinator diversity and frequency. They found that plants from different regions influenced pollinators' visits to flowers, with some regions offering more frequent interactions.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 22, 2021

Miniaturized models of neuron-muscle interactions give insight in ALS

Researchers created mini-chambers on a microfluidic device where human motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells grew, forming neuromuscular junctions. The study found that ALS motor neurons formed fewer connections and regenerated axons less efficiently than healthy ones.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 22, 2021

Better country dementia care

A pilot program in five Australian nursing homes shows personalized music selections reduce resident agitation and staff stress levels, leading to improved wellbeing and reduced medication use.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Geriatrics·DateApr 22, 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.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face high mortality rate

A worldwide study of 2,100 pregnant women found that those who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy were 20 times more likely to die than those who did not contract the virus. The study also showed that infected mothers and their newborns experienced preterm birth, preeclampsia, and ICU admissions.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 22, 2021

Hunger cues

Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 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.

SMART breakthrough in materials discovery enables 'twistronics' for bulk systems

Researchers have discovered a new way to control light emission from materials by stacking films at a twist angle, enabling efficient and systematic control of optical properties. The discovery has significant implications for applications in medicine, environmental technologies, and information systems.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2021

Know your ally: Cooperative male dolphins can tell who's on their team

Research led by University of Bristol scientists reveals that male dolphins categorize allies according to a shared cooperative history. Dolphins respond strongly to friends who have consistently helped them in the past, while ignoring those who haven't, indicating a social concept of 'team membership'.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2021

Uniquely sharp X-ray view

For the first time, scientists have successfully used transient grating spectroscopy with ultrafast X-rays to explore material properties at the atomic level. This method allows for the observation of individual atoms and selective measurement of specific chemical elements in a mixture of substances.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 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.

XYZeq: A better map of cell diversity

A new method called XYZeq allows researchers to map variation across cells in a tissue or tumor, gaining insight into their spatial location and function. The technique enables the analysis of cellular patterns in complex environments like cancerous tumors and other organs.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2021

Increased tourniquet use has saved lives in Los Angeles County

Increased tourniquet use in Los Angeles County has improved patient survival and reduced the need for blood transfusions. The study found that patients with prehospital tourniquets had lower mortality rates, fewer delayed amputations, and lessened blood transfusion requirements.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 22, 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.

Romantic relationships mitigate effects of trauma on alcohol use among college students

A study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that romantic relationships can help alleviate the negative impact of trauma on drinking behavior among college students. The study, which involved nearly 9,000 participants, discovered that students who experienced interpersonal trauma during college consumed more alcohol t...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalAddiction·DateApr 22, 2021

Experimental drug shows potential against Alzheimer's disease

Researchers developed a novel drug that increases LAMP2A receptors, revitalizing chaperone-mediated autophagy and removing toxic protein aggregates. In mouse models of Alzheimer's, the drug reversed key symptoms, suggesting potential for human treatment.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateApr 22, 2021

How is a molecular machine assembled?

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and collaborators isolated a PS II transition complex with three helper proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals a novel protective mechanism that prevents the formation of aggressive oxygen species during assembly, allowing for a more efficient and stable machine.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 22, 2021