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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 30 of 46

When FRETing over cancer biomarkers won't work, focus on blinking instead

Osaka University researchers used a photostabilizer to modulate fluorescence blinking in biochemical assays, allowing for the detection of a cancer RNA biomarker at ultralow concentrations. The technique increases fluorescence and eliminates blinking, providing a clear means to diagnose diseases in early stages.

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.

First patient-derived organoid model for cervical cancer

Researchers have created the first patient-derived organoid model for cervical cancer, allowing them to study human papillomavirus (HPV) and its impact on cervical tissue. The model's success holds promise for advancing research into cervical biology and associated diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Glaucoma may be more than just an issue of eye pressure

Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that citicoline restored optic nerve signals in rats with glaucoma, reducing vision loss and slowing nerve cell decay. The study suggests a new mechanism for treating the condition, which affects over 60 million people worldwide.

Snow chaos in Europe caused by melting sea-ice in the Arctic

A recent study finds that melting Arctic sea-ice is causing severe cold and snowy mid-latitude winters in Europe. The loss of Arctic sea-ice has been implicated with increased open-water and winter evaporation, fueling more extreme snowfall further south across Europe.

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.

Liver transplants: Improving waitlist mortality by improved risk assessment

Researchers at Medical University of Vienna improved liver transplant mortality prediction by adding laboratory parameters to the MELD score, which showed significant benefits in identifying high-risk patients. The study used vWF antigen and CRP levels to assess portal hypertension and inflammatory processes.

UMass Amherst joins partnership to develop sustainable food products

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is collaborating with Big Idea Ventures on a $125 million fund to develop sustainable food products and agricultural innovation. Researchers at UMass will focus on plant-based proteins and their impact on the human microbiome, aiming to create tastier and more economically beneficial products.

COVID-19 in our dust may help predict outbreaks, study finds

Researchers at Ohio State University found COVID-19 virus genetic material persists in dust for up to a month, suggesting it could be used to monitor outbreaks. The study suggests dust monitoring could offer an alternative method to wastewater testing, particularly in high-risk communities.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New Skoltech sensor tracks 'stress hormone' in real time

Researchers developed a fluorescence-based sensor for continuous cortisol detection, overcoming existing laboratory methods. The new sensor showed low levels of detection and reversible response in vitro, paving the way for an implantable sensor for real-time monitoring.

Smoking cannabis significantly impairs vision, study finds

A University of Granada study found that smoking cannabis significantly worsens visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and glare sensitivity. Notably, over 90% of users believe the drug has no effect on their vision, highlighting a need for awareness-raising campaigns to inform users about the risks.

Modeling past and future glacial floods in northern Greenland

Hokkaido University researchers have developed a model that explains the causes of past glacial river floods in northern Greenland and predicts future flooding risks. The study reveals that torrential rainfall was the primary driver of the 2016 flood, while warm temperatures were responsible for the 2015 event.

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.

Five research-backed steps to a pro-vaccination social media campaign

Researchers developed guidelines to promote vaccines on social media, analyzing a grassroots campaign and finding that 78.9% of tweets were anti-vaccine despite the event's intention. The team recommends using personal narratives, partnerships, and inclusivity to create effective pro-vaccination campaigns.

ISSCR launches new podcast

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has launched a new podcast called The Stem Cell Report with Martin Pera, which delves into the inspiration and stories behind stem cell research. The podcast features interviews with leading researchers and experts in the field.

NIH experts discuss post-acute COVID-19

A recent NIH workshop highlighted the need for further research on post-acute COVID-19, a condition characterized by heterogeneous symptoms and long-term effects. The workshop presented important knowledge gaps in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of PASC.

Consumers are willing to pay for ecosystem services

A study found that 79% of households are willing to pay extra for cropping diversification, valuing agroecosystem services and socio-cultural benefits. The total non-market value of cropping diversification can be up to 47-95% compared to annual market revenues.

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.

Ancient ammonoids' shell designs may have aided buoyancy control

Researchers used 3-D printed models to explore fractal-like interior shell patterns in ancient ammonoids. The study suggests that the intricate sutures and septa may have retained more liquid through surface tension, helping the ammonoids fine-tune their buoyancy.

The role of hydrophobic molecules in catalytic reactions

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and Sorbonne Université has discovered the significant contribution of small hydrophobic molecules to the energy costs of electrochemical reactions. The study found that these molecules interact with water at interfaces, leading to a crucial role in the chemical reactions.

Human screams communicate at least six emotions

A study published in PLOS Biology found that human screams communicate multiple emotions beyond fear, including pain, anger, fear, pleasure, sadness, and joy. Researchers used four experiments to investigate the acoustic diversity of scream calls and found that listeners responded more quickly and accurately to non-alarm screams.

Physical inactivity linked to more severe COVID-19 infection and death

A large US study found that physical inactivity is associated with more severe COVID-19 infection and a heightened risk of dying from the disease. Patients who were consistently inactive during the pandemic were more likely to be admitted to hospital, require intensive care, and die than those who met physical activity guidelines.

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.

Novel guidelines help select optimal deconvolution method

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed guidelines to select the best deconvolution method for RNA-seq data analysis. They evaluated 11 methods and identified their strengths and weaknesses in various scenarios, providing a benchmark for scientists to choose the optimal method for their needs.

People may trust computers more than humans

A recent study by University of Georgia researchers found that people are more likely to rely on algorithms for decision-making, even when faced with complex challenges. As the task becomes harder, people prefer algorithm-generated suggestions over human advice or 'wisdom of the crowd', according to the study.

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.

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.

A molecule that responds to light

Researchers at KIT and Chimie ParisTech/CNRS create light-addressable qubit using europium(III) rare-earth ions, advancing quantum computer development. The molecule's nuclear spin levels can be polarized with light, enabling efficient processing of data in parallel.

Rescuing street art from vandals' graffiti

Researchers developed a nanostructured fluid that slowly releases cleaning agents to remove over-paintings on street art without damaging the underlying layer. The technique, which uses low-toxicity solvents and biodegradable surfactants, has been tested successfully on laboratory mockups and real pieces of street art.

Silk moth's diapause reverts back to ancestors' through gene editing!?

Researchers at Shinshu University have successfully edited the silk moth's temperature sensor to induce dormancy based on day length, similar to its ancestral species. This breakthrough sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind environmental adaptation in insects and has significant implications for the sericulture industry.

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.

More exposure to political TV ads heightens anxiety

A new study by Cornell University researchers has found a positive association between exposure to televised campaign ads and reported diagnoses of anxiety among U.S. adults. The study analyzed two large national datasets and found that increased ad exposure was linked to higher odds of being diagnosed with anxiety.

Using emotion and humor to combat science misinformation

Researchers argue that limited science literacy and structural constraints make it hard to discern fact from falsehood. Emotion and humor may help address the issue by drawing attention to valuable information and humanizing sources.

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.

A new fluorescent probe that can distinguish B cells from T cells

Researchers developed a new fluorescent probe, CDgB, that can selectively target the cell membranes of B lymphocytes over T lymphocytes. The probe works by exploiting differences in membrane structures between B and T cells, particularly phospholipid composition and cholesterol content.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers from NIH propose a new method to estimate vaccine efficacy by following original placebo recipients after vaccination, allowing assessment of durability and potential delayed harm. This approach enables timely access to the vaccine for placebo recipients while maintaining unbiased estimates.

Northern Star Coral study could help protect tropical corals

A new study on the Northern Star Coral reveals its ability to recover from laboratory-induced stress, shedding light on coral resilience. Researchers found that coral with algal symbionts recovered their mucus microbiomes more consistently and quickly.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Skoltech studies collective behavior of nanosatellites

Researchers at Skoltech's Space Center have developed an algorithm to measure the geomagnetic field using CubeSats in a tetrahedral orbital formation. The system uses Kriging interpolation to predict magnetic field values, enabling improved attitude control and station-keeping systems.

Study suggests common drug could be used to prevent certain skin cancers

Researchers at Ohio State University suggest that an oral drug currently used to treat neuromuscular diseases could help prevent a common form of skin cancer caused by UVB radiation. The study found that the neurotransmitter dopamine can stop the development and progression of certain UVB-induced precancerous squamous skin cancers.

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.

What's in it for us: added value-based approach towards telehealth

A study by Kaunas University of Technology reveals the benefits of telehealth, including accessibility, convenience, and cost-saving. However, organizational and individual barriers, such as lack of digital training and reimbursement issues, hinder its widespread adoption.

Basketball Mathematics scores big at inspiring kids to learn

A six-week Basketball Mathematics program improved math motivation, self-determination, and mastery among 756 Danish schoolchildren. The study found that students who participated in the program showed a 16% increase in math motivation and a 14% rise in self-determination compared to those who did not participate.

World's protected areas need more than a 'do not disturb' sign

A global analysis of protected areas found that only 30% of forest loss in protected areas has been prevented, highlighting the need for improved enforcement and targeted conservation efforts. Protecting forests is crucial for sustainability, and scrutinizing protected areas across the globe can help direct efforts to the right places.

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.