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Science News Archive 2021


Page 45 of 510

New study offers broader understanding on plankton life in Gulf of Mexico

A groundbreaking study has documented the simultaneous position, size, and density of 36 different types of planktonic organisms in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found that smallest organisms formed the largest patches, with greater patchiness in shallow waters closer to shore than deeper ocean waters.

New link between diet, intestinal stem cells and disease discovered

A new study reveals that a high-sugar and high-fat diet can disrupt the natural adaptation of the digestive system by accelerating the division and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer.

Can defects turn inert materials into useful, active ones?

By introducing defects, researchers created chemically active hBN that can hold precious metal atoms, enabling cost-effective catalysts and potential applications in energy storage and sensors. This breakthrough challenges the long-held assumption that inert materials cannot be activated.

Scientists key in on brain’s mechanism for singing, learning

Researchers at OHSU have discovered a unique neural cell assembly that enables complex learning in songbirds, similar to those found in the human primary motor cortex. This finding has implications for understanding fine motor control and may lead to new avenues for treating disorders such as ALS.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Reading the mind of a worm

Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify differences in how the brain responds to various chemicals, including salt and benzaldehyde. The study provides insight into how brains process information and may help understand sensory processing disorders.

Breeding plants with genes from one parent

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a mechanism to eliminate half the genome in plants, making it easier to breed crops with desirable traits like disease resistance. This breakthrough could shorten breeding times by several generations.

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.

Urbanization not always bad for food and land use diversity

Researchers developed a framework to evaluate urbanization's impact on food and land use biodiversity. Urban areas can provide a range of approaches to increasing food diversity, including peri-urban agriculture and small farms. Strengthening food biodiversity among the urban poor can improve nutrition and security.

Understanding how pathogenic fungi build their carbohydrate armor

Researchers from Louisiana State University discovered the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls and how they respond to stresses, paving the way for new antifungal compounds. The study's findings reveal the structural role of each major carbohydrate in the cell wall and provide a revised model of fungal cell wall organization.

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.

Using PET scans to better treat cancer patients

Researchers found that higher lymphoma volume at diagnosis was associated with increased risk of recurrence. This could lead to improved patient outcomes by selecting the most appropriate treatment. The study also explored PET-based measures of initial disease burden, which may help predict patients' risk of recurrence.

Study: COVID tech took a toll on work-from-home moms

A new UNLV research study found that remote work technology exacerbated stress and mental health issues among working mothers with children. The study suggests that asynchronous communication methods like email may be more effective in alleviating stress, while synchronous forms like video chats and texting can hinder multitasking.

A stealthy way to combat tumors

Researchers identified a subset of dendritic cells that can cloak themselves in tumor proteins and trigger a strong T cell response. Stimulating these dendritic cells may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by slowing the growth of melanoma and colon tumors.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A genetic change for achieving a long and healthy life​

Researchers at KAIST discovered a single amino acid change in the PTEN protein that improves health status while retaining longevity. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the potential for targeting this protein to develop therapies for promoting healthy longevity.

COVID-19 research released at ASTMH Annual Meeting

Researchers found high rates of SARS-COV-2 infections in Mali but low evidence of severe disease, hospitalization, or deaths. In contrast, COVID-19 patients with high levels of previous malaria infections showed lower risks of severe outcomes in Uganda.

Climate uncertainty colors flood risk assessment

A new framework assesses flood risk by integrating climate model outputs and hydrologic models to predict uncertainty. The study found that climate uncertainty dominates overall uncertainty, and areas prone to flooding in the future will be mostly the same as current ones.

Suffering from psoriasis? Blame this trio of proteins

A recent study by La Jolla Institute for Immunology has identified a trio of proteins - TWEAK, TNF, and IL-17 - that control inflammation in psoriasis patients. Targeting this protein complex may lead to more effective treatments for the disease.

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.

Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity

A mathematical model suggests that SARS-CoV-2 Delta-like variants, which combine enhanced transmissibility and partial immune escape, will cause more severe pandemics than variants with either trait alone. Vaccination is predicted to be highly beneficial in these cases, preventing more infections and breakthroughs.

Wearable tech confirms wear-and-tear of work commute

A Dartmouth study uses mobile sensing to predict individual job performance based on commute data, revealing the link between work commute and job quality. The research also shows how data from personal tech devices can help improve employee productivity and satisfaction.

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.

Tech companies underreport CO2 emissions

A study by Technical University of Munich found that major tech companies significantly underreported CO2 emissions from their value chain, with 50% of emissions omitted in 2019. The researchers developed a method to identify reporting gaps and estimated the omitted emissions at 751 megatons carbon dioxide equivalents.

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.

Suicides fall during pandemic

A recent study has found that while US suicide rates fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant socio-economic gap persists, with vulnerable populations disproportionately affected. The researchers highlight the need for further research and social cohesion measures to mitigate pandemic-induced suicide risk in these communities.

Slowing ahead

Researchers warn of a potential long-term economic slowdown in developed democracies, driven by factors such as aging populations, shifts to services, and debt. The team proposes a 'guided civic revival' approach to address this challenge, combining grassroots forces with government participation to promote social solidarity and unity.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Home-based research format may expand access to autism treatment studies

Researchers from UC Davis MIND Institute develop a home-based language testing method using telehealth, allowing Spanish-speaking parents to assess their children's language abilities. The study found the parent-led test to be feasible, reliable, and effective in both English and Spanish-speaking groups.

What's new in gastric cancer treatment and research

Gastric cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with 1.09 million new cases in 2020. Recent research offers hope for improved treatment options, making it a critical area of focus for medical oncologists like Dr. Mohamad Sonbol.

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.

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.

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.

How do microbes choose from a “menu” of food?

Researchers developed a model showing that microbes with complementary preferences can coexist in communities. The study found that assembled communities consist almost exclusively of microbes that grow the fastest on their top choice nutrient.

New findings on the link between CRISPR gene-editing and mutated cancer cells

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that CRISPR gene-editing causes DNA damage, activating the p53 protein, which can lead to an accumulation of mutated cancer cells. The study identified a network of linked genes with similar mutations and suggests transient inhibition of p53 as a potential strategy to prevent their enrichment.

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.

Access to COVID-19 vaccines in countries hosting clinical trials

A recent study found that low-, middle-, and high-income countries hosting COVID-19 vaccine trials received proportionately more doses of vaccines. High-income countries were able to fully vaccinate their populations due to the higher dose allocation, raising concerns about unequal access to life-saving vaccines.

Scientists capture humor’s earliest emergence

Researchers found that humour emerges as early as 1 month, with different types of humour developing at various ages. By 11 months, half the children were producing humour, often within a few hours. The study identified 21 types of humour in young children, shedding light on their cognitive, social, and mental health development.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists call for equity, inclusion

A group of deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists argue that providing basic standards of support can increase diversity in fields of science and medicine. The authors propose five pillars to promote inclusion, including peer mentorship, captioning at conferences, and opportunities for leadership roles.

Copper acetate-facilitated direct growth of wafer-scale high-quality graphene

Researchers developed a method to directly grow high-quality graphene on wafer-scale insulators without transfer, achieving improved electrical performance and carrier mobility. The approach utilizes copper acetate to supply copper clusters, enhancing precursor decomposition and resulting in robust graphene films.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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