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Science News Archive 2021


Page 42 of 510

Tectonic shift in Southern Ocean caused dramatic ancient cooling event

A new study suggests that the tectonic opening of Southern Ocean seaways led to a sudden cooling event 34 million years ago, contributing to the formation of Antarctic ice sheets. High-resolution simulations showed that this event caused a dramatic drop in coastal temperatures and initiated the Earth's transition into an Icehouse world.

Reboot and recall: new brain hub for memory restoration identified

Researchers have found that stimulating the anterior thalamus can increase memory-related brain activity and restore memory function in rats with MTT lesions. The study suggests that therapies targeting this region could help recover memory in patients with brain injury, challenging previous notions of memory recovery.

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.

Can we perceive gender from children's voices?

Researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of Texas at Dallas found that listeners can reliably identify the gender of individual children as young as 5. They also discovered that identification of gender must take place jointly with the identification of age and likely physical size.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New method gives rapid, objective insight into how cells are changed by disease

A new 'image analysis pipeline' called TDAExplore gives scientists rapid insight into how cells are changed by disease, using a combination of microscopy, topology, and artificial intelligence. This approach can provide objective information on cell changes, such as the movement of proteins like actin, even with limited training data.

Hepatitis drug increases antibiotic potency, limits antibiotic resistance

A study led by New York University researchers found that the FDA-approved hepatitis C treatment telaprevir can increase bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics and reduce antibiotic resistance. The antiviral blocks the function of essential proteins in bacteria, revealing an opportunity to repurpose the drug to use alongside antibiotics.

New process makes every atom matter for sustainable catalyst production

Scientists have discovered a new process to break bulk metal into atoms for sustainable catalyst production. The method uses magnetron sputtering to achieve record-breaking rates of atom dispersal, enabling the fabrication of valuable catalyst materials. This breakthrough has significant implications for industries reliant on catalysts.

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.

Optimizing FDNY ambulance response

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science teamed up with the Fire Department of New York to upgrade FDNY's EMS response operations. They developed an optimization system that minimizes response time, reduces overcrowding, and balances demand and supply of patient intakes at a city-wide level.

Salvaging rare earth elements from electronic waste

A new nanotechnology developed by Penn State researchers selectively recovers neodymium and other rare earth elements from electronic waste using plant cellulose. The process is environmentally friendly and can separate neodymium in seconds, making it a sustainable solution for recycling.

UNM methane leak detection research could help reduce emissions

Researchers at UNM are working on a DOE-funded project to develop low-cost sensors for detecting natural gas pipeline leaks. The sensors can quantify methane concentrations and identify sources of emissions, helping to pinpoint the origin of methane emissions in the US.

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.

Chemical researchers invent bio-petroleum for sustainable materials

Researchers develop technology to produce petroleum-like liquids from renewable plants using combined fermentation and chemical refining. The new bio-petroleum can be converted into various chemicals, including polymers, rubbery materials, soap-like molecules, and lubricants, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

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.

When bees get a taste for dead things

Researchers discovered that these 'meat-eating' bees have a unique gut microbiome enriched with acid-loving bacteria, similar to those found in vultures. The bees' ability to eat dead bodies is surprising, but they can also store honey and have special chambers for meat storage.

Antibodies help keep harmful forms of gut fungi in check

A study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that antibodies secreted in the gut help control pathogenic forms of gut fungi like Candida albicans. However, patients with Crohn's disease often have impaired antibody function, leading to an overgrowth of harmful fungi.

The Riemann conjecture unveiled by physics

A mathematical enigma, the Riemann conjecture, has been unraveled thanks to a new approach from statistical physics. The solution lies in chaotic motions and probability laws that regulate them.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Deeper defense against cyber attacks

A KAUST team developed an improved method for detecting malicious intrusions using deep learning, achieving accuracy rates of up to 99% in simulations of different kinds of attacks. This stacked deep learning approach promises an effective defense against cyberattacks and could prevent outages in critical infrastructure.

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.

New species of green microalga identified in São Paulo

A new species of green microalgae was identified in a reservoir in northwest São Paulo, Brazil, and reclassified into the genus Nephrocytium. The discovery was made through phylogenetic analysis and molecular sequencing, confirming that the microalga is distinct from other known species.

Remote responders

A new study by UNM researchers found that patients treated in rural emergency departments had similar outcomes to those receiving care in urban EDs for life-threatening conditions. However, rural patients with vague symptoms fared worse due to limited diagnostic capabilities and transfer processes.

First moth species on Alpenrose discovered

A previously unknown glacial relic, the Alpine rose leaf-miner moth, has been discovered in the Alps. The caterpillars specialize on the rust-red alpine rose, avoiding it like most other moths and butterflies due to its toxicity.

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.

A new snow tracking sensor

A new snow tracking sensor using infrared radiation technology will track daily snow depth, making it easier to predict and prevent winter-related hazards. The device will measure snow density by strata, providing more accurate data for avalanche forecasting and flood risk assessment.

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.

Antibody levels predict vaccine efficacy, new analysis shows

Researchers found that higher antibody levels correlate with greater vaccine protection against COVID-19. The study provides new insights into how to measure vaccine efficacy, potentially guiding approval decisions and vaccine regimen modifications.

Neurobiologists reveal how value decisions are coded into our brains

Researchers discovered the retrosplenial cortex as the site of value decision-making in the brain. Persistency allows value signals to be effectively represented across different brain areas, especially the RSC. Artificial intelligence networks mimicking mouse decisions showed remarkably similar results.

Ultrashort-pulse lasers kill bacterial superbugs, spores

Researchers have found that ultrashort-pulse lasers can inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores, reducing their numbers by over 1,000 times. The technology has the potential to be used to sterilize wounds and disinfect blood products, and may also be used to treat bloodstream infections.

Bans on flavored e-cigarettes could see some vapers return to smoking cigarettes

A recent study by the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project found that most adult vapers oppose flavor restrictions, with 82% saying they would continue vaping if flavored products were banned. Some vapers may switch to smoking cigarettes instead, highlighting potential unintended consequences of a flavor ban.

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.

Athletes need thorough tests after long COVID

A new study published in Annals of Medicine recommends that athletes returning to training after long COVID undergo a series of tests and receive regular advice from medical specialists. The researchers defined long COVID as symptoms lasting more than four weeks, and warned of the risk of organ damage and mental health issues.

Researchers investigate link between bilingualism and false memories

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that false information in both native and second languages equally contribute to the formation of false memories. The researchers used an online experiment with participants speaking Russian and English to assess the influence of misinformation and source misattribution on memory recall.

How eating less in early life could help with reproduction later on

Researchers found that females who consumed less food for their entire lives lived longer but didn't reproduce as well as better-fed counterparts. However, those who switched to unlimited food after early life restriction started mating and reproducing more, producing three times more offspring than restricted diet flies.

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.

How positively and negatively charged ions behave at interfaces

Scientists investigate how positively and negatively charged ions behave at solid-liquid interfaces. They found that the hydration shell of positively charged sodium ions is stripped away at small voltages, while negatively charged chloride ions require higher voltages.

Understanding Eraser Enzymes

MRNA eraser enzymes play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and cell fate decisions. Research on these enzymes may lead to the development of therapeutics that target misbehaving erasers in disease. The team aims to understand how these enzymes recognize and choose specific methyl groups to remove from RNA.

Measuring inequality in COVID-19 mortality

The study found significant disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates among racial and ethnic groups and those with different levels of educational attainment. The researchers analyzed data from 219 million adults aged 25 or older to identify these inequalities.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Vehicles are an under-recognized source of urban ammonia pollution

Researchers found that vehicles accounted for 60-84% of total NH3 emissions in western Los Angeles, significantly higher than government estimates. This discovery suggests a substantial health impact from vehicle-related ammonia, which has been largely under-recognized and uncontrolled.

How well do wet masks contain droplets?

Researchers found that wet masks make it more difficult for respiratory droplets to penetrate and escape the mask, splintering into smaller aerosolized particles. This is because wet masks create additional resistance due to their hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials, making them more effective at stopping droplet penetration.

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.

Giving social support to others may boost your health

A new study from Ohio State University suggests that giving social support to others is essential for boosting one's health. The research found that people who were available to provide social support experienced lower inflammation levels, whereas those who only received support did not show the same benefits.

New technique better assesses exposure of a population to a virus

A new technique developed by Penn State researchers allows for accurate general-population estimates of virus exposure, resolving key complications in traditional methods. The study found that 26% of the Vietnamese population is exposed to subtype H3N2 influenza every year, and 16% is exposed to subtype H1N1.

Inadequate sleep is bad for preteens’ brains

A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that inadequate sleep can jeopardize brain organization in early adolescence, leading to deficits in cognitive processes such as attention, reward, and memory. The research identified racial disparities in the impact of sleep on brain networks, with non-white participants experiencing dispr...

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.