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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 6 of 46

El Niño can help predict cacao harvests up to 2 years in advance

Researchers found that El Niño can accurately predict cacao yields with a high degree of confidence, even 25 months before the harvest. This innovative approach uses machine learning and rigorous data collection to provide valuable insights for farmers and policymakers, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.

Designing new alloys for additive manufacturing

Researchers aim to develop new alloys that can be additively manufactured to produce strong yet ductile structures. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of grain refinement in complex concentrated alloys, they hope to create materials suitable for various engineering applications, including space exploration.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A path to graphene topological qubits

Researchers have successfully demonstrated the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in graphene, opening a pathway towards graphene-based topological qubits. This breakthrough finding enables the creation of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states, which are crucial for achieving topological superconductivity.

Research gives trees an edge in landfill clean-up

A new contaminant prioritization tool could increase the effectiveness of environmental approaches to landfill clean-up by matching tree species with specific contaminants. The tool allows site managers to prioritize the most hazardous contaminants or customize it to address local concerns.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Delayed antibiotic prescribing is safe and effective for most patients

A large analysis of patient data suggests that delayed antibiotic prescribing is a safe and effective strategy for most patients, including those in higher risk subgroups. The study found no significant difference in symptom severity or duration between delayed and immediate antibiotics, but a slight benefit in reducing re-consultation...

Uncertainty of future Southern Ocean CO2 uptake cut in half

A new study has reduced the Southern Ocean's CO2 uptake uncertainty by 50% using a novel method that constrains the ocean's carbon sink. The approach links human-made CO2 uptake to surface water salinity, allowing for more accurate projections of future climate change.

Skipping the second shot could prolong pandemic, study finds

A Cornell-led research survey found that many Americans believe the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines provide weak protection against COVID-19 after a second dose. The study highlights the need for improved guidance on continued public health precautions, such as wearing masks, to combat vaccine attrition and prolong pandemic recovery.

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.

CCNY team makes single photon switch advance

The City College of New York team demonstrated the use of Rydberg states to enhance nonlinear optical interactions in solid state systems, creating a chip-scale scalable single photon switch. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum photonic technologies by amplifying scalability.

Socioeconomic deprivation modifies genetic influence on higher education

A Uppsala University study found that genetic variants contribute more to educational attainment in socioeconomically deprived regions. The study of over 350,000 UK Biobank participants suggests an interaction between genes and environment, with socioeconomic deprivation modifying genetic effects.

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.

Driving behaviors harbor early signals of dementia

Using naturalistic driving data, researchers developed random forests models that accurately predicted mild cognitive impairment and dementia with 88% accuracy. The study identified age, trip patterns, and braking events as key predictors of the conditions.

Childhood air pollution exposure linked to poor mental health at age 18

A multidecade study found higher rates of mental illness symptoms among young adults exposed to traffic-related air pollutants during childhood and adolescence. The link between air pollution exposure and mental health symptoms was observed across sub-domains of psychopathology, with strongest links to thought disorder symptoms.

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.

New method might improve prostate cancer and high cholesterol treatments

Researchers have developed a new method to control human hormones and metabolism, which could help prevent diseases such as prostate cancer and high cholesterol. The method involves binding to the POR protein, influencing hormone production and degradation, and has shown promise in treating prostate cancer by regulating CYP17 levels.

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.

UMass Amherst-led team awarded $3M grant to decarbonize computing

A UMass Amherst-led team will develop a self-powered, decentralized network of computing hardware and solar batteries to reduce carbon emissions. The team plans to virtualize energy systems and engineer digital carbon-capping policies to track applications' use of traditional grid-based carbon emissions.

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.

Christmas Eve coke works fire followed by asthma exacerbations

The study found that nearly half of people with asthma closest to the fire were unaware of the pollution problem and unable to take steps to avoid exposure. The incident led to an 80% increased risk of worsened asthma symptoms for those living within a 10-mile radius of the plant.

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.

People of color hardest hit by air pollution from nearly all sources

A new study models people's exposure to air pollution by race-ethnicity and income level, finding that exposure disparities among people of color and white people are driven by nearly all emission source types. The researchers found that air pollution disparities arise from a more systemic set of causes than previously understood.

May Day: How electricity brought power to strikes

Historical research from Lund University reveals that electrification strengthened professional groups' negotiating power, leading to more strikes over wage increases. The study analyzed 8,000 strikes between 1859 and 1938 and found that technological change was a rare trigger.

Job changes following breast cancer are frequent in some cases

Breast cancer patients experience frequent job changes after diagnosis, with around ten percent reporting involuntary changes. The study suggests that a supportive work environment and understanding from managers can facilitate a satisfactory return to work.

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.

UChicago scientists harness molecules into single quantum state

Researchers at UChicago have successfully brought multiple molecules into a single quantum state, a major technological feat. This achievement has the potential to open new fields in quantum physics and chemistry, enabling innovative applications such as unhackable networks and earthquake sensors.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Measuring the Moon's nano dust is no small matter

Researchers at NIST measured moon dust particles as small as 400 nanometers, revealing a strong link between particle shape and light scattering. The study uses X-ray nano computed tomography to analyze particle shapes and improve satellite tracking of weather patterns.

How can we stop mankind from stagnating?

The global human population is projected to lead to food and water shortages, pollution, poverty and social tension. A new mathematical model suggests that intrinsic factors, such as Turing instability, may drive heterogeneous population distribution, regardless of geographical heterogeneity.

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.

Research delves into link between test anxiety and poor sleep

A study from the University of Kansas found that test anxiety triggers poor sleep, which can lead to reduced performance on tests. The research revealed a correlation between sleep, anxiety, and test scores, with students experiencing significant differences in grades due to anxiety levels.

The Vertebrate Genomes Project introduces a new era of genome sequencing

The Vertebrate Genomes Project has produced 16 diploid high-quality vertebrate reference genome assemblies, showcasing technological improvements and standardization for genomics. These assemblies enable unprecedented novel discoveries in biodiversity, conservation, and human health and disease.

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.

Spring forest flowers likely key to bumble bee survival, Illinois study finds

A new Illinois-based study finds evidence of a steady decline in the availability of springtime flowers in wooded landscapes, which likely endangers queen bees' ability to start their nesting season. The scarcity of early-season flowers, particularly in forests, is attributed to declining forest plant cover since 1997.

Restricting internet searches causes stock market instability: study

A new study published in the Journal of Financial Economics found that restricting internet searches for investors can lead to increased stock market instability. The research, conducted by RMIT University, discovered that firms regularly searched on Google were 19% more unstable after Google's withdrawal from mainland China in 2010.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UC San Diego engineering professor solves deep earthquake mystery

A University of California San Diego engineering professor has solved the mystery of deep-focus earthquakes, which originate between 400 and 700 kilometers below the Earth's surface. Her new theory explains how high pressures cause olivine rock to transform into denser spinel, leading to volume collapse and seismic waves.

A pioneering study: Plant roots act like a drill

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that plant roots grow with a spiral motion, controlled by the hormone auxin, which also assists cancer cells in penetrating tissue. This finding significantly advances plant research and has potential applications in understanding cancer cell behavior.