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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 35 of 46

Dismantling white supremacy in public health

A new analysis suggests that public health institutions must address white supremacy to achieve true equity. Researchers propose strategies for dismantling white supremacy, including tracking exposure to police brutality and educating policymakers on its impact.

Fostered flamingos just as friendly

Researchers found that fostered flamingo chicks formed stable social ties and behaved like parent-reared birds after rejoining their species. The study provides valuable insights into the success of fostering for conservation breeding programs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Gut bacteria "talk" to horse's cells to improve their athletic performance

A study published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences found that certain types of equine gut bacteria produce chemical signals that communicate with the mitochondria in horse cells, delaying low blood sugar and inflammation. This discovery paves the way for dietary supplements to enhance equine athletic performance.

Research gives new insight into formation of the human embryo

Researchers have discovered a unique regenerative property of human early embryo cells, allowing them to regenerate trophectoderm and produce placental cell types. This breakthrough may benefit assisted conception treatments and help understand causes of infertility and miscarriage.

The spintronics technology revolution could be just a hopfion away

Researchers have successfully demonstrated and observed 3D hopfions emerging from skyrmions at the nanoscale, a major breakthrough in realizing high-density, high-speed, low-power magnetic memory devices. The discovery could lead to significant advancements in spintronics technology.

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.

A new agent for the brain diseases: mRNA

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed an mRNA delivery system that effectively produces BDNF protein in rat brain to protect neurons from ischemia. The system, known as an mRNA nanomicelle, increases the survival of hippocampal neurons and shows long-term therapeutic benefits.

Curiosity rover explores stratigraphy of Gale crater

The Curiosity rover has explored the stratigraphy of Gale crater, providing insights into Mars' early climatic history. The study reveals alternating wet and dry depositional environments recorded in the sedimentary sequence, shedding light on the Red Planet's environmental changes during the Hesperian age.

Leisure physical activity is linked with health benefits but work activity is not

A large study of over 100,000 adults found that leisure time physical activity was associated with a 26-40% reduced risk of death, while work activity had the opposite effect. The researchers suggest that occupational activities often do not sufficiently increase heart rate to improve fitness and may even increase blood pressure.

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.

A song of ice and fiber

Sandia National Laboratories has successfully analyzed the first seafloor dataset from under Arctic sea ice using a new underwater technique. The team detected natural and human-caused activities, including ice quakes and transportation activities, while also monitoring for climate signals and marine life.

'Emotional' reviews predict business success, new study shows

A Northwestern University study finds that emotional reviews, not star ratings, predict business success in various industries such as movies, books, and restaurants. The research uses computational linguistics to analyze the emotionality of reviews and shows that higher emotionality is associated with greater success.

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.

A discovery that "literally changes the textbook"

A team of international researchers has shown that the network of nerves connecting eyes to brains evolved at least 450 million years ago in ancient fish, predating animals living on land. This discovery challenges existing theories and has implications for future health research.

Even "safe" ambient CO levels may harm health, Yale study finds

A Yale study analyzing 40 million deaths found that even short-term exposure to ambient CO below current guidelines was associated with increased mortality. The research suggests reducing ambient CO concentrations could achieve considerable public health benefits through stricter control of traffic emissions.

Higher rates of chronic pain in women linked to genetics

A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.

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.

Graphene: Everything under control

A team of scientists from Bielefeld and Berlin successfully controlled graphene's nonlinearity by applying modest electrical voltages, enabling efficient processing of high-frequency signals. This breakthrough paves the way for using graphene in THz frequency converters, mixers, and modulators.

New test to study language development in youth with Down syndrome

A new test, expressive language sampling (ELS), has been validated as a reliable tool to measure communication development in youth with Down syndrome. The study found that ELS measures were generally valid and reliable across ages and IQ levels, demonstrating strong validity for vocabulary, syntax, and speech intelligibility variables.

Corals carefully organize proteins to form rock-hard skeletons

Scientists discovered that coral structures consist of a biomineral containing organized organic mix of proteins. This process is critical to forming a rock-hard coral skeleton. The research suggests that corals will withstand climate change due to their impressive biomineralization process.

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.

Lockdown for genome parasites

Researchers at GMI discovered that Arabidopsis's Decreased DNA Methylation I (DDM1) gene product silences undesirable genetic elements and transposable elements, preventing genome instability. This mechanism dominates other known TE silencing mechanisms.

Cycling study transforms heart health of dialysis patients

Patients with kidney failure who cycled during dialysis showed improved heart health, including reduced scarring and stiffness of major blood vessels. The study found significant savings in healthcare costs, potentially benefiting the NHS.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Altering traumatic memories

Texas A&M researchers have developed a method to indirectly retrieve and weaken fear memories, which could lead to more effective therapy for treating trauma. By reactivating traumatic memories through conditioning procedures, scientists can make them vulnerable to disruption.

The fastest one wins

A team at the Indian Institute of Science developed a catalytic version of the Fischer indole synthesis that primarily produces one enantiomer. The reaction involves a dynamic kinetic resolution mechanism with a chiral catalyst, resulting in moderate yields and good to excellent enantiomeric selectivity.

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.

Evolution of outcomes for patients hospitalized during the COVID pandemic

A retrospective analysis of 198,846 hospitalizations in France from March to November 2020 reveals major changes in the age and sex of hospitalized patients during the pandemic. The probability of ICU admission and death varied substantially over time, with a decrease followed by an increase in both cases.

The impact of COVID-19 on people with kidney failure

The study reveals that COVID-19 hospitalizations peaked between March 22 and April 25, with rates 40 times higher than in the general population. Patients undergoing dialysis had a 17% increase in death rates compared to 2017-2019 rates.

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.

New pig brain maps facilitate human neuroscience discoveries

Researchers have updated a pig brain atlas, increasing its resolution and adding a new atlas for adolescent pigs. The updated atlases will enable more precise studies of brain development and the impact of nutritional interventions on human infants. With improved detail, researchers can now study brain development in pigs up to adulthood.

The truth about doublespeak: Is it lying or just being persuasive?

A new study by the University of Waterloo found that using euphemistic language can bias people's evaluations of actions to be more favorable. The researchers used agreeable terms, such as 'enhanced interrogation,' instead of disagreeable ones, like 'torture,' to see how it affects people's judgments.

Energy transmission by gold nanoparticles coupled to DNA structures

Researchers have successfully created chiral objects using DNA origami and gold nanoparticles, exhibiting efficient energy transmission. The discovery enables potential applications in virus detection and optical computing, leveraging the unique properties of plasmonic transmitters.

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.

Billboard and storefront ads for cannabis linked to problematic use in teens

A new study found that adolescents who frequently see billboard or storefront advertisements for recreational cannabis are more likely to use the drug weekly and have symptoms of a cannabis use disorder. Researchers used social media sites and apps to recruit 172 teens, ages 15 to 19, who lived in states with legal recreational marijuana.

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.

All-in-one device uses microwave power for defense, medicine

Researchers at Purdue University have created a new device that uses composite-based nonlinear transmission lines to generate high-power microwaves for biomedical and defense purposes. The system eliminates the need for bulky auxiliary equipment, making it more portable and efficient.

Bacteria help plants grow better

A new study found that bacteria in the soil enhance plant growth by promoting lateral root formation and improving nitrogen absorption. This breakthrough could lead to more sustainable agriculture practices by reducing fertilizer use and environmental pollution.

How did 500 species of a fish form in a lake? Dramatically different body clocks

Researchers identify a single nocturnal species of Lake Malawi cichlid that exhibits dramatic differences in body clocks, suggesting an acute response to light. The study reveals that nocturnal behavior is associated with increased eye size, providing insights into the molecular and neural basis underlying variation in nighttime activity.

Study: Scant evidence that 'wood overuse' at Cahokia caused collapse

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis challenges the long-held theory that the collapse of Cahokia, a pre-Columbian Native American city, was caused by excessive tree cutting and deforestation. Researchers found no evidence of flooding issues or environmental missteps, contradicting previous narratives about ecocide.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Solar and wind power could mitigate conflict in northeast Africa

A new study suggests that expanding solar and wind power across the region could alleviate disagreements between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over Africa's largest hydropower plant. Integrating GERD operation with solar and wind power would provide regional win-win situations, benefiting all countries involved.

Can a 3D printed beetle model simulate the real thing?

Researchers designed and tested 3D printed beetle models to study mate choice in insects. The results show that the models are effective in simulating real behavior, with males preferring chemical signals and color cues over 2D counterparts.

How to tame a restless genome

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that a protein called Asterix/Gtf1 suppresses small specific regions of mobile genetic elements by binding to tRNA molecules. This discovery could lead to understanding how cells protect themselves against these elements and potentially tame an overly restless genome.