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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 15 of 46

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fifty years of collaborative science

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is celebrating 50 years of sharing scientific knowledge, with millions of users accessing its data for fundamental biology, energy, and biomedicine. The event highlights the PDB's role in understanding protein folding, including SARS-CoV-2, and structural biology's impact on medicine and drug discovery.

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.

Membranes unlock potential to vastly increase cell-free vaccine production

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new biomanufacturing platform that can increase protein-based vaccine yields by five-fold and reduce production costs to $1 per dose. The technology utilizes enriched cell-free extracts with cellular membranes, significantly broadening access to potentially lifesaving medicines.

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.

3D printed models provide clearer understanding of ground motion

Researchers are using 3D printed models to study ground motion after earthquakes, providing a novel platform for seismic experiments. The models replicate complex topographical features and allow scientists to simulate how seismic waves interact with the Earth's surface.

Researchers trace spinal neuron family tree

Salk researchers have traced the development of spinal cord neurons using genetic signatures, revealing new ways of classifying and tagging subsets of cells. The findings offer a precise way to study the function of spinal cord neurons and their role in regulating body movements.

Recreating the earliest stages of life

Researchers successfully generate synthetic mouse embryos containing the three fundamental cell types normally found in pre-implantation embryos. The study provides strong evidence that the system is a good model for studying early embryo development, shedding light on the mechanisms of totipotency and the causes of early pregnancy loss.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Improving survival in pancreatic cancer

Nagoya University researchers discovered a molecular pathway that enhances chemotherapy resistance in some pancreatic cancer patients. Targeting the taurine upregulating gene 1 (TUG1) RNA could improve patient response to therapy and increase overall survival.

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.