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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 7 of 46

Two compounds can make chocolate smell musty and moldy

Two compounds, (-)-geosmin and 3-methyl-1H-indole, are found to be primary contributors to the musty and moldy scents of cocoa beans. Measuring their amounts within cocoa beans could help detect off-putting scents and flavors.

Treating neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome

Researchers at INRS discovered a compound that alleviates some neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 newborns. The treatment targets GABAergic neurons and shows therapeutic effects on both neurological and behavioral symptoms.

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.

Severe COVID-19 cases can be predicted by new test

A two-step prognostic test can predict patient response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, guiding therapeutic choices before severe symptoms appear. The test combines a disease risk factor score with antibodies produced early in the infection.

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.

Harvesting water from air with hydrogels and MOFs

Researchers have developed hybrid materials that combine hydrogels and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water harvesting technologies for various environments. These materials have the potential to provide a sustainable source of water in arid conditions, as well as improve energy efficiency in air conditioning systems.

Virtual reality could help improve balance in older people

Researchers found virtual reality (VR) effective in assessing balance and improving postural control in older adults. VR systems can differentiate healthy from balance-impaired individuals and provide a more natural and relevant testing environment.

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.

Sperm development linked to testicular cancer

A study has found that sperm development is linked to testicular cancer in men. Germ cells that fail to undergo sex-specific differentiation and retain pluripotent features are more likely to transform into cancer cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Is forest harvesting increasing in Europe?

A team of scientists has re-evaluated the forest harvesting trends in Europe, finding that an abrupt increase of 69% reported by a previous study was incorrect. Instead, they found a more modest 6% increase in forest harvests over the same period.

Protein linked to sex differences in age-related dopamine neuron loss

Researchers discovered that a protein called VGLUT plays a key role in regulating sex differences in brain vulnerability to age-related dopamine neuron loss. Higher levels of VGLUT were found in female neurons, correlating with greater resilience to neurodegeneration and mobility deficiencies.

Mapping the electronic states in an exotic superconductor

Researchers characterized how electronic states depend on local chemical composition in a compound containing iron, tellurium, and selenium. They discovered that low iron concentration leads to superconductivity and distinct magnetic correlations, while high tellurium concentration creates a topological surface state.

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.

Texas Biomed shares critical work in development of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

The article discusses the critical role of Texas Biomed in the development of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine through preclinical testing. Scientists tested two mRNA vaccine candidates in rhesus macaques, showing high effectiveness in protecting against SARS-CoV-2, and highlighting the importance of rapid therapy and vaccine development.

Omega-3 supplements help kids with high cholesterol improve lipid profile

A new study found that fatty acid supplements may protect children with high cholesterol from heart disease by increasing their blood levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers discovered that an EPA supplement improved the lipid profile in the blood, reducing the risk of coronary artery disease and promoting healthy aging.

Toward a feasible alternative to liver organ transplant

Researchers have made new discoveries about fetal liver cells that could help make liver cell transplants more effective. Fetal liver cells can multiply and maintain function for long periods when used in transplants, but adult liver cells do not share this ability.

Hepatitis C drugs boost Remdesivir's antiviral activity against COVID-19

Researchers found that four hepatitis C drugs boost remdesivir's efficacy by up to tenfold in cell cultures. This combination therapy may provide an immediate treatment for unvaccinated individuals or those with waning immunity. The study aimed to develop an oral drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 like remdesivir.

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.

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 duckbilled dinosaur discovered in Japan

A new genus and species of hadrosaur, Yamatosaurus izanagii, has been identified in Japan, revealing insights into the herbivores' migration from Asia to North America. The discovery also highlights an evolutionary step as dinosaurs transitioned from bipedalism to quadrupedalism.

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.

Extinct 'horned' crocodile gets new spot in the tree of life

A new study resolves the horned crocodile's evolutionary relationships, placing it on a separate branch of the crocodile family tree. The research suggests that modern crocodiles likely originated in Africa, contradicting previous scientific thinking.

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.

Plant compound shows promise against triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers found that sanguinarine, a natural compound, reduces cell viability and growth in triple-negative breast cancer cells. The treatment activated different genes in cells from African American ancestry, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for this population.

Solar-powered desalination unit shows great promise

Researchers in China have created a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy that can remove salt from seawater, producing freshwater. The device uses a titanium-containing layer and special paper to absorb sunlight and condense water vapor.

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.

New 2D superconductor forms at higher temperatures than ever before

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a new 2D superconductor that forms at the interface of an oxide insulator, enabling high-temperature superconductivity and raising fundamental questions about its properties. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in quantum information processing and quantum sensing.

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.

NIST study suggests how to build a better 'nanopore' biosensor

Researchers at NIST and VCU have developed a new approach to building better 'nanopore' biosensors by measuring the energy required for molecules to interact with these sensors. This laser-based heating method enables faster and more accurate measurements, potentially revolutionizing disease detection and treatment.

Association of facial paralysis with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers analyzed COVID-19 vaccination data and found no significant association between mRNA vaccines and facial paralysis. The study suggests that compared to other viral vaccines, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not display a signal of facial paralysis.

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.

'Smart shirt' takes a trip to space for science

Researchers developed a non-intrusive Bio-Monitor shirt to track astronauts' health during spaceflight, providing continuous measurements of heart rate, breathing rate, and physical activity. The study found significant reductions in physical activity during spaceflight, highlighting the potential for early warning systems.

Study reports links between blood types and disease risks

Researchers have found a link between certain blood types and increased risk of diseases such as kidney stones, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and bleeding conditions. A study scanning health data on over five million people revealed new connections and confirmed previously reported associations.

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.