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Science News Archive April 2021


Page 8 of 46

Researchers show new holistic approach to genetics and plant breeding

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new method for plant breeding that considers the internal 'calculator' of plant seeds, allowing for more efficient crop improvement. The approach uses NIRS to analyze the chemical composition of grains and identify optimal genetic traits.

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.

Got 10 minutes? That's all you need for this high-intensity workout

A new study found that high-intensity cycling sprints can increase maximum oxygen consumption, anaerobic power, and total blood volume, improving aerobic exercise endurance. These results may encourage people to exercise with a short and effective workout that only takes 10 minutes a day.

Gene changes might explain long-haul COVID-19 symptoms

Researchers discovered that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can cause persistent gene expression changes in airway cells, which may contribute to COVID long-hauler symptoms. The study's findings suggest a potential genetic basis for the lingering symptoms and could lead to personalized treatment approaches.

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.

Why older people should chill when it's hot out

A new study suggests that cooling breaks can improve autophagic function in older adults, potentially reducing cellular damage from extreme heat. Researchers found that visiting a cooling center reduced core body temperature and improved markers of autophagy in participants.

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.

Nature provides inspiration for breakthrough in self-regulating materials

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a platform for interactive soft materials that can respond to external stimuli in predictable ways. By mimicking the natural oscillators found in animals, the team created a diverse array of oscillators that can move in unison and adapt to changes in light and temperature.

Dab on deep heat cream to improve exercise performance

Researchers found that applying deep heat cream before exercise boosts endurance by an average of two minutes in male volunteers. The study suggests that this technique could improve performance in elite and recreational athletes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

California campaign lowers statewide C-section rate, Stanford-led study finds

A four-year effort in California has lowered the state's C-section rate for low-risk, first-time mothers to below the national average, according to a Stanford-led study. The campaign, which included messaging, public reporting, and quality improvement initiatives, resulted in a reduction from 26% in 2014 to 22.8% in 2019.

Ship traffic dropped during first months of Covid pandemic

Researchers tracked global ship movements and found a 70.2% decrease in Exclusive Economic Zones during the pandemic's early stages. The impact of reduced boat traffic allowed some marine ecosystems to recover, with clearer water observed in Venice's canals and reduced underwater noise at Vancouver.

Linguists predict unknown words using language comparison

Researchers use computer-assisted techniques to reconstruct ancient pronunciation of undocumented words, achieving a success rate of 76% in predicting word forms. The study's findings improve understanding of Western Kho-Bwa languages and their linguistic history.

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.

Using big data to save babies

Researchers used machine learning to analyze data from preterm infants with BPD, identifying clusters that predicted comorbidities and rehospitalizations. This could lead to earlier and more precise diagnoses, enabling personalized treatments.

Anesthesia doesn't simply turn off the brain, it changes its rhythms

A recent study from MIT's Picower Institute reveals that anesthesia, specifically propofol, dramatically changes and controls the dynamics of brain rhythms. This alteration affects the coordination between the thalamus and cortical regions, leading to a slower pace of neural activity.

The science of sound, vibration to better diagnose, treat brain diseases

A team of engineers is exploring new methods to focus ultrasound waves through the skull, offering a safer and less expensive alternative to MRI technology. The researchers are also investigating how vibrations and waves across different frequencies can be used to extract information from or focus energy on the brain.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Exercise reduces risk of airway disease

A recent study published in Radiology found that regular exercise can reduce the long-term risk of bronchiectasis, a potentially serious airway disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,000 healthy young adults, found that preservation of cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with lower odds of developing bronchiectasis.

Canola growth environments and genetics shape their seed microbiomes

A study examined how seed microbiomes of canola are assembled, finding that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. The researchers discovered a core microbiome in all seed samples with potentially beneficial microbes like Pseudomonas spp., which promote plant growth.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fair climate policy could help reduce extreme poverty

A new study suggests that ambitious climate policies can alleviate poverty reduction challenges by redistributing emission pricing revenues and promoting fair international burden sharing. The research projects that implementing these measures could lead to a small reduction in global poverty of around 6 million people by 2030.

Light therapy helps veterans treated for traumatic brain injury

A new study by researchers at the VA Portland Health Care System found that morning bright light therapy improved physical and mental symptoms for veterans with traumatic brain injury. The therapy showed significant benefits in cognitive function, sleep, depression, and neuropsychiatric trauma symptoms.

Heat-inactivation method successfully neutralizes coronavirus in less than a second

A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has successfully developed a heat-inactivation method that can neutralize the coronavirus in less than a second. This innovative approach uses high temperatures to break down the virus, providing a potential solution for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The findings have significant impli...

Depression medication could also protect against heart disease

Researchers found that duloxetine inhibited platelet function and protected against clot formation, potentially benefiting patients with both depression and cardiovascular disease. The study aims to develop new drugs based on the structure of duloxetine to protect from thrombosis.

Climate crises in Mesopotamia prompted the first stable forms of State

Severe droughts prompted landowners to grant rights to non-elites, who promoted institutional changes through cooperation. Climate shocks also influenced agricultural activities and social orders in developing countries., Climate crises in Mesopotamia led to the development of cooperative relationships between elites and non-elites.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

The first comprehensive single-cell atlas of human teeth

A team of researchers has created the first-ever single-cell atlas of the human teeth, revealing cellular heterogeneity and stem cell populations with great regenerative potential. The study highlights the importance of microenvironmental specificity in functional differences between stem cells in various tooth compartments.

International research team discovers new two-dimensional material

A global research team has created a previously unknown two-dimensional material called beryllonitrene, which exhibits a distorted electronic lattice structure. This new material has great potential for applications in quantum technology, including high-performance computing and secure communication.

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.

An atlas of HIV's favorite targets in the blood of infected individuals

Gladstone researchers have identified specific subsets of CD4+ T cells that are most susceptible to HIV infection. The team used a technology called CyTOF/PP-SLIDE to classify these cells and found that remodeling caused infected blood cells to alter their surface, potentially helping the virus infect more cells.

Pandemic significantly increases insomnia in health care workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a 44% increase in insomnia disorder among health care workers, with the highest rates among those who spent less time in direct patient care. Surprisingly, about 10% of faculty physicians and nurses reported their insomnia improving after the onset of the pandemic.

Fishing in African waters

African waters contribute to global fish supply, generating $15 billion for Africa's GDP in 2011. However, climate change and pollution threaten fish stocks, raising concerns about sustainability. A new study uses AIS satellite data to describe spatial characteristics of African and foreign industrial fishing activities.

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.

The new EU climate target could phase out coal power in Europe as early as 2030

A new EU climate target of cutting emissions by 55% by 2030 will dramatically speed up the decarbonization of Europe's power sector, leading to a significant phaseout of coal power. Renewable energies are expected to contribute nearly three-quarters of power generation in 2030 and reach zero emissions in the power sector by 2040.

Five studies point to dangers of environmental exposures

Recent studies point to links between environmental exposures and health risks, including respiratory problems from hog farms and inflammation caused by triclosan. Gulf War veterans may also be more susceptible to alcohol-induced liver damage due to environmental factors.

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.

ASBMB announces its first class of fellows

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has launched an honorific program to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the field. The first class of 30 fellows includes renowned scientists from around the world, who will be honored at the society's annual meeting.

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.

Switching to light

A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has developed a new optogenetic tool called BLADE that allows for controlled expression of genes in Escherichia coli using blue light. This breakthrough simplifies biotechnology methods and enables targeted protein production and signaling process studies.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone may cause lung damage

A new mouse model of acute lung injury reveals that exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone can induce COVID-19-like symptoms. The study's findings suggest a previously unknown mechanism causing lung damage, potentially leading to new targets for therapeutic development.

U-M RNA scientists identify many genes involved in neuron development

A team of University of Michigan researchers identified many genes crucial for fruit fly neuron development, including three previously unknown ones. The discovery provides insights into the complex process of neurogenesis and may lead to new approaches for understanding human brain development and regeneration.

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.