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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 44 of 46

Fungi could manipulate bacteria to enrich soil with nutrients

A team of researchers has discovered a group of bacteria that may help fungi and plants acquire soil nutrients. The bacteria form unique communities on the hyphae surfaces of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which could enhance phosphate acquisition and improve crop yields.

How pathogenic bacteria weather the slings and arrows of infection

Researchers discovered that transfer RNAs (tRNAs) play a crucial role in controlling the activation of the stringent response pathway. The MurM enzyme, involved in cell wall synthesis, acts as a quality control manager to ensure accurate translation and prevent toxic tRNA buildup.

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.

Covid-19 mask study finds layering, material choice matter

A recent study from Georgia Institute of Technology found that the type of material and number of fabric layers used in homemade masks significantly affect Covid-19 exposure risk. The best-performing materials for masks were blackout drapery and sterilization wrap, which provide an overall filtration efficiency of about 50% for submicr...

Most US adults who vape want to quit, study finds

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that over 60% of US adults who vape are interested in quitting, with former cigarette smokers having the highest intentions. Despite e-cigarettes being seen as a potential tool for smoking cessation, many users struggle to quit, and current treatments may not be effective for all users.

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.

Protein based biomarker identifies the chemo drug sensitivity

Researchers at Niigata University have identified a protein biomarker, APM2, that can indicate the permissible level of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. The study found a significant relationship between high APM2 expression and cisplatin resistance in liver and gastric cancer cells.

COVID-19 patients can be categorized into three groups

Researchers identify three COVID-19 phenotypes with different comorbidities, complications, and clinical outcomes. Phenotype II showed the worst clinical outcomes, while Phenotype III had the best outcomes despite higher respiratory comorbidity rates.

Prioritizing who gets vaccinated for COVID-19 saves lives

A study by University of California, Davis researchers found that prioritizing vaccination for vulnerable populations like seniors and essential workers can reduce deaths, infections, and years of life lost by 17-44%. The optimal strategy depends on the outbreak conditions, including vaccine supply and transmission rates.

MOF-based sensor for water quality testing

Researchers at Shinshu University developed an affordable portable sensor using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to detect fluoride levels in drinking water. The device is compatible with local populations and can be produced locally, aiming to improve access to safe water and sanitation for all

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Racial, ethnic differences among children enrolled in HMOs

Researchers analyzed national survey data to compare HMO enrollment rates among children with commercial and public coverage by race and ethnicity. The study reveals racial and ethnic differences in HMO enrollment rates, highlighting disparities in healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Scientists turn to deep learning to improve air quality forecasts

A team of scientists developed a deep learning model that improves air quality estimates by combining satellite and ground-based observations. The model achieved higher spatial and temporal resolution, enabling more accurate predictions of nitrogen dioxide levels in the Los Angeles area.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Excess deaths from COVID-19 and other causes in US

A study analyzing COVID-19-related deaths and all other causes in the US found that pandemic-excess mortality significantly surpassed pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a total of over 3.7 million excess deaths from February 2020 to December 2022.

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.

Keep pace: Walking with a partner is great but might slow you down

A new study found that couples tend to decrease their walking speed when together, especially when holding hands. This decrease in speed can negate some of the health benefits associated with walking alone at a faster pace. On the other hand, older adults who are more active tend to maintain their gait speed.

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.

Study finds airborne release of toxin from algal scum

Researchers detected anatoxin-a, a deadly cyanotoxin, in air and water near a Massachusetts pond with algal blooms. The toxin can cause respiratory paralysis, muscular twitching, and loss of coordination at high concentrations.

Xin Zhang receives NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor Xin Zhang received a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how to align stakeholder interests with nitrogen reduction goals. The research aims to improve decision-making and develop innovative solutions for sustainable nitrogen management.

Kirigami-style fabrication may enable new 3D nanostructures

Researchers have developed a kirigami technique to fabricate complex 3D nanostructures with unprecedented ease. By strategically introducing cuts to a uniform structural film, the team can create sophisticated three-dimensional structures that can change shape in response to environmental changes.

Consumer resistance to sustainability interventions

Researchers found that consumer resistance stems from the disruption of social practices, such as shopping, rather than individual behaviors. To overcome resistance, policy makers should focus on changing these practices, not just individual actions. The study provides a framework for designing practice-based sustainability interventions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

UTA team working to predict lifespan of Texas roads

A UTA civil engineering professor is leading a $2.8 million project to analyze the condition and remaining service life of over 3,500 lane miles through TxDOT. The team will use AI, finite element modeling, and advanced spectroscopy tools to predict pavement lifespan.

Serving size, satisfaction influence food waste on campus

Researchers found that students who were satisfied with their meals wasted less food. Diners who visited the dining commons frequently and were familiar with the menu options also tended to waste less food. The study's results suggest that posting signs encouraging healthier choices could help reduce food waste.

Toddler TV time not to blame for attention problems

A comprehensive review of early research on TV time and attention problems in children found no direct link, contrary to previous claims. The study's authors suggest that parents should not feel guilty for allowing their young children to watch TV.

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.

Study sheds light on interplay among PTSD, combat experience, alcohol use

A recent study found that combat experience is associated with a higher risk of alcohol use to cope with PTSD symptoms, but this link weakens when adjusting for PTSD severity. The study also reveals that trauma-exposed men without combat experience are more likely than those with combat experience to report an alcohol use disorder.

Experiences of a health system's employees during COVID-19

A survey study examined the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare employees' careers, productivity, childcare needs, and likelihood of leaving the workforce. The study found that many employees experienced burnout, reduced productivity, and increased childcare responsibilities.

Oxygen-promoted synthesis of armchair graphene nanoribbons on Cu(111)

Researchers successfully synthesize armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) on Cu(111) via lateral fusion of poly(para-phenylene). Oxygen introduction reduces temperature required for reaction, opening up new avenues for surface chemistry. This breakthrough could benefit various dehydrogenation reactions in on-surface synthesis.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Changes in article views in leading medical journals during COVID-19

Researchers assessed changes in article views of articles published in three leading medical journals since COVID-19 started, finding a significant decline in views. The study reveals that online engagement has been impacted by the pandemic, with many journals experiencing a drop in article views.

Connecting the dots between engagement and learning

New research from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh examines how changes in internal states like engagement affect learning. The study found that fluctuations in neural activity are influenced by shifts in internal states, suggesting a key role for engagement in learning.

Probiotics keep calves healthy, too!

Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a novel probiotic formulation to control severe diarrhea in calves, reducing mortality and economic loss. The probiotic supplement was tested on newborn calves and found to be effective in preventing bovine diarrhea caused by BRV and cryptosporidiosis.

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.

NASA OSIRIS-REx's final asteroid observation run

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will perform a final flyover of asteroid Bennu, capturing high-resolution images and collecting data from the asteroid's surface and science instruments. The mission aims to understand the extent of the disturbance caused by the sample collection event.

Articles for Geosphere posted online in March

Researchers reconstructed chemical weathering history in the western Himalaya using sediment records since 17 million years ago. In California, a study analyzed late Pleistocene rock uplift and faulting rates along the boundary between the southern Coast Ranges and western Transverse Ranges.

NOAA study shows promise of forecasting meteotsunamis

Researchers used local citizen photos and data to reconstruct the first documented meteotsunami in the Great Lakes, caused by an atmospheric inertia-gravity wave. Existing NOAA models may enable scientists to predict these meteotsunamis minutes to hours in advance.

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.