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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 13 of 46

COVID-19 vaccine responses to be studied in people with immune deficits

Researchers are enrolling 500 participants, 400 with primary/secondary immune system disorders and 100 without, to study COVID-19 vaccine responses. The study aims to characterize features and adequacy of immune responses and provide valuable information about benefits and potential risks in individuals with immune deficiencies.

People with heart rhythm disorders warned over cannabis use

A study of 2.4 million hospitalised cannabis users found that those with an arrhythmia were 4.5 times more likely to die in hospital than those without. Patients with arrhythmias also had longer hospital stays and more co-existing health conditions.

Toward new solar cells with active learning

Active learning is used to identify promising organic molecules for efficient solar cells by iteratively deciding which data to learn from. This approach allows the algorithm to efficiently explore a vast molecular space and continuously improve its performance.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

An easy-to-use platform is a gateway to AI in microscopy

Researchers have developed a cloud-based platform called ZeroCostDL4Mic that uses artificial intelligence to analyze microscopy images, improving image quality and detecting features such as tumors in biopsy samples. The platform is freely available online and requires no coding expertise, making it accessible to non-experts.

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.

US asbestos sites made risky by some remediation strategies

New research suggests that capping US Superfund sites with soil to lock in asbestos may increase human exposure to the cancer-causing mineral. Lab experiments found that soil's organic material enables asbestos to move through the ground and potentially into nearby water supplies.

Army, ASU publish human-autonomy communication tips

Researchers identified a set of approaches to assess human-automation teams' communication, focusing on structure, emotion, and content. The 11-critical approaches aim to improve Soldier-robot interactions, enabling less manual input and more natural teamworking.

Hubble captures giant star on the edge of destruction

Astronomers capture breathtaking images of AG Carinae, a luminous blue variable star surrounded by a glowing halo of gas and dust. The star is in a constant battle to maintain stability due to its massive form and super-hot temperatures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Citizen science data tracks battle of birds vs bacteria

New research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology analyzes the impact of a bird eye disease on house finch populations, revealing an escalating arms race between the birds' immune systems and bacterial strains. The study suggests that imperfect immunity is driving this battle, with bacteria evolving to overcome strengthened finch defenses.

Patching up your health

Researchers at Osaka University and JOANNEUM RESEARCH developed ultrathin self-powered e-health patches that can monitor a user's pulse and blood pressure. The patches use embedded piezoelectric nanogenerators to harness biomechanical energy, enabling wireless health monitoring without the need for wires or batteries.

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.

'Planar and curved' pyrrole-fused azacoronenes

The study presents two new derivatives of pyrrole-fused azacoronene, one with alkyl groups and the other with concave π-planes, exhibiting distinct redox properties and π-electron functions. The curved structure leads to a strong interaction with spherical fullerene.

NIH establishes new childhood asthma clinical research network

The NIH has established a new clinical research network called Childhood Asthma in Urban Settings (CAUSE) to study pediatric asthma in low-income urban settings. The network aims to develop tailored treatment and prevention approaches for children living in these communities.

With new optical device, engineers can fine tune the color of light

Researchers at Stanford University developed an optical device that allows engineers to change the frequencies of individual photons in a stream of light. This enables the creation of compact and flexible neural networks for artificial intelligence, transforming fields such as digital communications, AI, and quantum computing.

New data could inform youth-focused pandemic messaging

Recent polls of people aged 14 to 24 reveal most young people are taking COVID-19 seriously and motivated by a desire to protect others. They prioritize following public health guidance when near close contacts or in 'pod' situations.

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.

Newly discovered immune cell function vital to healing

Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that macrophages, a common immune cell, play a crucial role in re-establishing blood flow in damaged tissue. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for cardiovascular diseases by increasing local concentrations of signal substances in damaged muscles.

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.

Gauging groundwater

A comprehensive study finds that many global groundwater wells are at risk of running dry due to declining water levels. The researchers analyzed construction records and monitoring well data from 40 countries, finding that 6-20% of wells may dry up if water levels continue to decline.

US and Iranian researchers collaborate on Lake Urmia restoration

Scientists from US and Iran are collaborating on restoring Lake Urmia, which has lost 95% of its volume over two decades. The team's findings show that setting a target water level may not solve the lake's problems, highlighting the need for ecosystem-based restoration efforts.

Successful cancer therapy using artificial metalloenzymes to deliver drugs

A team of researchers at RIKEN CPR has demonstrated a successful cancer therapy using artificial metalloenzymes to deliver targeted drug therapies. In mouse tests, they found a 40% survival rate for mice treated with selective cell therapy and a higher survival rate over 77 days when targeting tumors that had already formed.

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.

Quantum steering for more precise measurements

Researchers at the University of Basel have proposed a new scheme for measuring magnetic or electric fields using quantum steering, which enhances measurement precision. By analyzing entangled particle states, scientists can make more accurate predictions about possible measurement results.

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.

New blood markers may reveal heart attack in chest pain patients

A new study identifies three molecules in the blood that can distinguish between heart attack and chest pain caused by other conditions. The researchers hope to develop a simple blood test for early diagnosis, which could help doctors quickly confirm or rule out a heart attack.

Comprehensive NICU discharge planning essential for at-home readiness

A new study highlights the importance of comprehensive NICU discharge planning in preparing parents to care for their medically needy infants at home. Families who were both satisfied and prepared had better outcomes than those who were not, with higher-risk groups benefiting from additional education and training.

Critical understanding of why and how solid-state batteries

The study reveals two competing theories on lithium metal dendrite growth through ceramic electrolytes, proposing a new mechanism for solid-state battery failure. The researchers used X-ray computed tomography and spatially mapped X-ray diffraction to visualize and characterize crack growth and dendrite propagation.

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.

Ankle exoskeleton enables faster walking

Researchers developed an ankle exoskeleton that significantly increased self-selected walking speed in young adults, with a 42% average increase. The device has potential for improving daily life and may also reduce pain caused by weight on joints or improve balance in older adults.

Fossils of "giant cloud rats" discovered in Philippine caves

Scientists have discovered fossils of three new species of giant cloud rats in Philippine caves, dating back tens of thousands of years. The rodents filled an ecological role similar to that of squirrels in the US and were resilient for at least 60,000 years, but two of the species disappeared around 2,000 years ago.

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.

Taking down human traffickers through online ads

Researchers adapted an algorithm to identify similarities in escort ads, highlighting common parts and indicating potential human trafficking activity. The InfoShield algorithm outperformed other algorithms at identifying trafficking ads with 85% precision, flagging them without false positives.

New therapy target for malignant melanomas in dogs

Scientists have discovered a potential new therapy target for canine cancer, specifically oral malignant melanoma in dogs. The treatment targets the PD-L1 molecule, which has shown promise in human cancer treatments, and significantly increased survival time for dogs with pulmonary metastatic OMM.

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.

Firearms laws curb rates of gun violence across United States

A Rutgers University study found that states with stricter firearms laws reported lower suicide and homicide rates. The study analyzed data from 1991 to 2017 and found a significant correlation between the total number of firearm laws in a state and its corresponding suicide and homicide rates.

Common antibiotic effective in healing coral disease lesions

A new study by Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute reveals that a common antibiotic, amoxicillin, is effective in treating stony coral tissue loss disease. The study showed a 95% success rate in healing individual lesions, but did not prevent the development of new lesions over time.

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.

New research data on the regulation of hormone-dependent breast cancer

Researchers discovered that distinct Notch family members are modified differently by phosphorylation, leading to opposite effects on transcriptional activity and oncogenic behavior. The study suggests that targeting PIM or Notch proteins may provide new treatment options for hormone-dependent breast cancer with poor prognosis.

Possible new PET tracer for early detection of Alzheimer's

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new astrocyte-specific PET tracer, BU99008, which detects reactive astrogliosis in the brain. This finding could improve early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, with potential implications for other disorders related to astroglial dysfunction.

Emergency EMR created in a week to respond to COVID-19 crisis

A team from Regenstrief Institute created an emergency EMR for Indianapolis first responders in just one week using OpenMRS, a global open-source electronic medical record system. The system allowed for quick registration of patients, collection of basic clinical information, and transmission to the Indiana health information exchange.

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.