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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 38 of 46

The structure and function of cortical brain cells modulated by attention

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how cognitive control and sensory information relate to cortical machinery. Researchers found that signal propagation between cortical areas V1 and V4 is modulated by attention, challenging previous theories about parallel processing flows.

Crunching on coral

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that coral predators have a significant impact on young coral growth and survival, even when protected by fish. The study suggests that density has little effect on predation, as corals are vulnerable to predators regardless of group size or protection.

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.

Association of race/ethnicity, sex, income with well-being during COVID-19

A recent study has quantified the association of race/ethnicity, sex, income, and state-specific lockdown measures with six well-being dimensions in the United States. The research highlights disparities in well-being among different groups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities.

Fungi are present in your lungs

Researchers discovered fungi present in both healthy and diseased lungs, with no difference in composition between individuals with COPD using or not using inhaled steroids. The unique lung environment is dominated by the fungus Candida, which can cause disease when outcompeted.

Measuring space-time 'entanglement' of electromagnetic waves

Scientists quantify space-time nonseparability of electromagnetic pulses using quantum state tomography and calculate fidelity, concurrence, and entanglement. They propose novel concepts for measuring space-time entanglement in structured light, opening new avenues for ultrahigh-capacity communication and high-security encryption.

Society is not ready to make human brains

A new paper by Kyoto University researchers highlights the ethical implications of brain organoid research, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like dementia or schizophrenia. However, transplanting brain organoids raises concerns about consciousness, morality, and potential risks to patients.

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.

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study compared inpatient and outpatient surgical volumes during the pandemic and found significant declines, especially in regions hardest hit. Outpatient volumes recovered quickly, while inpatient volumes improved to near-pre-pandemic levels by September 2020.

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.

'Patchwork' tumors prevalent across multiple cancer types

Researchers found that tumour samples from over 2,600 patients with different types of cancer contain a high prevalence of genetic diversity within individual tumours. This variation is a challenge for doctors as treatment may not be effective against another subclone, and certain subclones can initiate tumour spread or drug resistance.

Genomes of the earliest Europeans

Researchers sequenced the genomes of the oldest Europeans, finding they contributed genes to present-day East Asians and had extensive Neandertal DNA. This suggests frequent mixing with Neandertals when first modern humans arrived in Europe.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study revises understanding of cancer metabolism

A recent study by Vanderbilt researchers reveals that non-cancer cells in a tumor, primarily immune cells called macrophages, have the highest glucose uptake, upending traditional models of cancer metabolism. This finding could lead to new therapies and imaging strategies.

Crohn's disease may be caused by immune signaling failure

Researchers found that T cells in the small intestine have evolved a molecular sensing mechanism to protect themselves from toxic bile acids. This mechanism can be manipulated with small drug-like molecules, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.

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.

Anticoagulation and cerebral small vessel disease

A new study links cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) to intracerebral hemorrhages under anticoagulation, suggesting SVD as a precondition. The study suggests blood thinning alone can no longer be considered a cause of intracerebral hemorrhages.

Estimating costs of uterine transplantation

A study of nine uterine transplants from living donors has provided an initial estimate of costs, with total average cost per transplant reported as EUR 74,564. Sick leave accounted for the largest portion of these costs.

Weather radar for ecological forecasting can lessen hazards for migratory birds

Researchers used weather radar to create a forecasting system for nocturnal bird migration in the US, finding that just 10 nights of action can reduce risk by 50% for avian migrants passing over an area. This data enables more 'mindful' approaches to protect migrating birds from threats like light pollution and collisions with structures.

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.

Manual workers face twice the risk of developing ALS

Researchers found that manual workers are twice as likely to develop ALS, with close to two-thirds of patients reporting a blue-collar job. The study also discovered that jobs involving sustained physical exertion, such as construction and carpentry, were associated with a higher risk of bulbar-onset ALS.

NIH-funded researchers develop language test for people with Down syndrome

A new test has been developed to evaluate expressive language skills in individuals with Down syndrome, offering a more effective approach than current methods. The test was found to be reliable and consistent across different versions, making it suitable for most individuals between the ages of 6 and 23.

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.

High index surfaces-exposed PtCu3@Pt3Cu@Pt nanodendrites as ORR electrocatalyst

Researchers designed a nanodendrite Pt-Cu alloy electrocatalyst with high-index surfaces and graded composition, achieving excellent mass and area activities for oxygen reduction reaction. The catalyst's unique morphology and composition provide a high specific surface area to improve Pt utilization and enhance ORR activity.

Urolithin A shows effective against muscular dystrophy

Researchers have found that Urolithin A can delay the progression of Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy in mice by restoring mitochondrial activity and increasing mitophagy. This natural compound has shown promise in improving muscle health and performance, with significant increases in grip strength and running performance.

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.

Nanoparticles reveal their location via mirror SELFI

Researchers used mirror SELFI to detect nanoparticles' size and location with nanometre resolution, enabling tracking of disease-causing viruses. This breakthrough could lead to new sensing methods for biomedical applications.

Projecting cancer cases, types, deaths in US to 2040

Researchers project the most common and deadly cancers in the US by 2040, with breast cancer expected to remain top type. The study also highlights an increasing trend of cancers affecting younger populations, such as thyroid and testicular cancers.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted peoples' interactions with nature?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's interactions with nature in both positive and negative ways, providing valuable knowledge about these interactions. The article highlights the potential long-term consequences of this shift and recommends further research to establish actions that can positively impact humans and nature.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Myositis-specific autoreactive T cells are pathogenic for dermatomyositis

Researchers used a mouse model to identify the role of autoreactive T cells against transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) in dermatomyositis. The study found that autoreactive CD8+ T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease, while autoantibodies are non-pathogenic clinical markers.

Particle physics: Will muons lead us towards a new physics?

A new theoretical calculation of the muon magnetic moment has reduced the discrepancy with experimental measurements, but sparks debate on the standard model's fate. The calculation, involving CNRS physicists, used precise measurements made with electron-positron colliders and European supercomputers.

Neanderthal ancestry identifies oldest modern human genome

Researchers have identified the oldest reconstructed modern human genome, dating back around 2,000 years, from a fossil skull in Czechia. The study suggests that early modern humans did not successfully adapt to Europe, with a possible explanation being the Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic eruption.

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.

Carbon dioxide levels reflect COVID-19 risk

Researchers confirmed that doubling CO2 levels roughly doubles the risk of transmission. The model considers infection numbers in the local community but not air flow through rooms. Low CO2 levels can minimize COVID-19 risk, regardless of space activity.

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.

A protein with a dual role: Both repair and mutation

The Mfd protein's dual role in repairing bacterial DNA and promoting mutations has been discovered, offering new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. This phenomenon could also lead to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.

How Japanese speakers confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that Japanese speakers often confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/ due to palatalized tongue articulation. Real-time MRI and supercomputer simulations revealed that acoustic contrast between the sounds can be produced by differences in tongue shape in the transverse direction.

New method advances single-cell transcriptomic technologies

A new method called ACME has revolutionized single-cell transcriptomic technologies by enabling accurate cell fixation and dissociation without causing cell stress. This allows scientists to study thousands of individual cells from living organisms, one-by-one, and sequence each cell's genetic material.

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.