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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 12


Page 12 of 46

Mapping childhood undernutrition in India

Researchers mapped child anthropometric failure across 597,121 Indian villages to identify geographic hotspots of undernutrition. The study highlights the need for targeted policies and precision mapping to address childhood undernutrition in rural India.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Against presbyopia

A team of researchers from UPV, UV, and AIKEN Foundation has created the first fully transparent trifocal corneal inlay that allows good eyesight for people with presbyopia at multiple distances. The inlay is designed to be compatible with laser refractive surgery and may offer an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 26, 2021
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.

Anti-icing material with self-removing condensate

Researchers developed an anti-icing material that removes condensed water through self-propelled droplet jumping, inspired by wheat leaves. The material remains ice-free in temperatures as low as -50 °C and under high humidity, making it suitable for various environmental conditions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021

Experimental proof for Zeeman spin-orbit coupling in antiferromagnetics

Researchers discovered Zeeman spin-orbit coupling in two different materials, demonstrating its generic nature and opening possibilities for spin manipulation. This breakthrough may lead to the development of fundamentally new electronic devices with high storage density and fast operation.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·Journalnpj Quantum Materials·DateApr 26, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Female military veterans face additional barriers accessing mental health support

A study published in BMJ Military Health found that female military veterans experience unique barriers to accessing mental healthcare, including a lack of recognition of their veteran status and negative stereotypes. The research highlights the need for further studies to address these issues and ensure equal access to support services.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Military Health·DateApr 26, 2021

Prototype for mobile devices could screen children at risk for autism spectrum disorder

Researchers developed an eye-tracking app that can screen children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by tracking their gaze patterns while watching social videos. The study found that children with ASD were less likely to focus on social cues and visually track conversations in the videos.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 26, 2021

Biophysicists found an Achilles heel of a cancerogenic virus

A team of scientists found that the human 14-3-3 protein family has a universal binding site for the E6 oncoprotein from different subtypes of cancer-causing Human Papillomaviruses (HPV). This discovery suggests that targeting this site could lead to the development of novel antiviral therapies.

SourceFederal Research Centre «Fundamentals of Biotechnology» of the Russian Academy of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 25, 2021
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.

Chinese hazelnut: The newest piece in the hazelnut genome puzzle

A team of scientists from China has sequenced the high-quality genome of Chinese hazelnut, identifying genes related to oil biosynthesis and stress resistance. The study provides valuable resources for molecular breeding and genetic improvement of hazelnut crops worldwide.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateApr 25, 2021

Researchers identify the proteins that cause intestinal disease

A new AI platform has identified specific proteins that allow bacteria to infect the intestines, paving the way for smart drugs to prevent disease. The study used machine-learning tools and genomic information of multiple bacteria to make accurate predictions.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2021

Scientists have cultured the first stable coral cell lines

Researchers have successfully grown cells from stony coral Acropora tenuis, creating eight distinct cell types that can grow indefinitely. The cell lines hold promise for understanding coral interactions with photosynthesizing algae and bleaching processes.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalMarine Biotechnology·DateApr 25, 2021

3D holographic head-up display could improve road safety

Researchers developed a 3D holographic head-up display using LiDAR data to create ultra-high-definition holographic representations of road objects, alerting drivers to potential hazards without distraction. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to existing safety measures.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 25, 2021

Mapping the path to rewilding: the importance of landscape

A new study from the University of Amsterdam and the Dutch State Forestry Service highlights the importance of landscape in rewilding efforts. Researchers developed an index to measure and predict rewilding success, finding that varied landscapes show greater conservation potential.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·DateApr 25, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers complete high-precision time-frequency dissemination

The study demonstrates a stable time-frequency transfer via a high-orbit satellite-ground link, enabling potential performance of optical atomic clocks and intercontinental comparisons. The researchers achieved an instability of 4E-18 at 3,000 s with their dual-comb linear optical sampling method.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalOptica·DateApr 25, 2021

A lesson from Arctic sea-ice prediction in 2020: accurate subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction remains a grand challenge

In 2020, the Arctic sea-ice extent was significantly lower than predicted by forecasting systems, with most institutions overestimating the coverage of sea ice. This highlights the ongoing challenge of accurately predicting Arctic sea-ice extent on subseasonal-to-seasonal time scales.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 24, 2021
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.

Travel paths of primates show how their minds work

Researchers used GPS data from 164 wild primate populations to analyze mental abilities that guide travel decisions. The findings provide insight into the cognitive development of these species and enhance approaches to studying primate cognition.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournaliScience·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

DeepShake uses machine learning to rapidly estimate earthquake shaking intensity

Researchers developed DeepShake, a deep spatiotemporal neural network trained on over 36,000 earthquakes, which analyzes seismic signals in real time and provides advanced warnings of strong shaking. The model was tested using the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake, sending simulated alerts up to 13 seconds prior to high-intensity ground shaking.

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 23, 2021

Study reports novel role of enzyme in plant immunity and defense gene expression

A recent study found that silencing SDIR1 reduces growth of host-specialized and nonhost Pseudomonas syringae strains, while overexpressing it enhances disease resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens. Higher levels of ABA and jasmonic acid are also detected in SDIR1-overexpression plants.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateApr 23, 2021

Study uncovers human-to-cat transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19

A new study has found that people can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to their cats during the pandemic, leading to mild or severe respiratory disease in felines. The researchers detected the virus in two domestic cats from households with suspected cases of COVID-19 and emphasized the need for monitoring human-to-cat transmission.

SourceWiley·JournalVeterinary Record·DateApr 23, 2021

Red Sea is no longer a baby ocean

The Red Sea is now considered a mature ocean basin, approximately 13 million years old, with features similar to those of the young southern Atlantic Ocean. The study uses gravity and earthquake data to develop a new tectonic model, revealing hidden structures such as rift axes and transform faults.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Using spatial distance strategically with luxury and popular product displays

Researchers found that maintaining a distance between products and consumers boosts the perceived value of luxury items, while proximity increases the perceived sincerity of popular products. Marketers can leverage visual cues to enhance value and increase consumer willingness to pay by strategically matching distance with brand image.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateApr 23, 2021

Muscle gene linked to type 2 diabetes

Scientists at Lund University discovered a key role for the VPS39 gene in regulating muscle stem cells' ability to create new mature muscle cells. The study found that individuals with type 2 diabetes have altered epigenetic patterns and impaired sugar uptake, leading to compromised muscle function.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021

Is raising the sales age of tobacco reducing youth smoking?

A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that California's tobacco sales age increase from 18 to 21 has reduced smoking rates among 18-20-year-olds, but not non-daily smokers. The law change was associated with a decrease in 'daily' smoking prevalence, from 2.2% in 2016 to nearly zero in 2019.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateApr 23, 2021

From individual receptors towards whole-brain function

A research team created a computer model that can simulate the impact of individual receptor types on brain activity. The model uses data from three imaging techniques to quantify receptor-specific modulations of brain states. By predicting changes in brain dynamics after receptor activation, the researchers hope to develop new diagnos...

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFEBS Journal·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Radar satellites can better protect against bushfires and floods

New research using Synthetic Aperture Radar data from Sentinel-1 satellites shows improved ability to detect, monitor, prepare for and withstand natural disasters like bushfires and floods. SAR data provides valuable insights for hazard mitigation and complementing existing Earth observation programs.

SourceCurtin University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateApr 23, 2021

How oxygen radicals protect against cancer

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered that Nox4, an enzyme producing H2O2, prevents cancer by keeping phosphatases out of the cell nucleus, thus allowing DNA damage to be recognized and repaired. In its absence, mutated cells multiply uncontrollably, leading to tumour formation.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2021

Quantifying the level of pollution in marinas

A new index, MEPI, quantifies environmental pollution in marinas by combining chemical and biological parameters. The study's innovative approach provides a simple and complete ecological analysis method to determine a port's quality, enabling authorities to establish minimum ecological quality levels.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateApr 23, 2021

UNH research: Climate change affects deep-sea corals and sponges differently

Researchers at UNH discovered that climate change impacts deep-sea corals and sponges variably, with temperature and dissolved oxygen affecting sponge distribution and coral growth. High-resolution video analysis identified specific environmental ranges influencing species sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateApr 23, 2021

Flexible diet may help leaf-eating lemurs resist deforestation

A new study reveals that sifakas, a genus of lemurs found only in Madagascar's forests, have taste preferences and digestive adaptations that allow them to thrive on tough leaves, fruit, and even pine needles. This dietary flexibility may give them an advantage over their strictly leaf-eating or fruit-only cousins.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Skeletal defects may be ameliorated after immobility in the womb

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin found that skeletal defects caused by lack of movement in the womb can be partially recovered after movement resumes. The study used chicken embryos and suggests that this finding may also apply to humans.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateApr 23, 2021

Engineering single-molecule fluorescence with asymmetric nano-antennas

Scientists develop novel approach to boost single-molecule fluorescence with asymmetric nano-antennas, achieving enhancement factors up to 405 and quantum yields of 80% without sacrificing photostability. This breakthrough enables higher imaging resolution and tissue penetration depth in biomedical applications.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 23, 2021

Finding clues to nephronophthisis in adults

A study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University identified thick tubular basement membrane duplication as a diagnostic criterion for adult-onset NPH. The research also found that older patients are unlikely to have pathogenic mutations, providing a novel diagnostic pointer.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalKidney International Reports·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

VR visualization supports research on molecular networks

Researchers developed a VR platform to display huge amounts of data and analyze complex protein interactions. This enables the identification of correlations and rare genetic defects responsible for diseases.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021

3D motion tracking system could streamline vision for autonomous tech

A new real-time 3D motion tracking system combines transparent light detectors with advanced neural network methods to enable fast tracking speed, compact hardware, and lower cost compared to existing solutions. The technology has promising applications in automated manufacturing, biomedical imaging, and autonomous driving.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Research shows pain relieving effects of CBD

A new study led by Syracuse University researchers finds that CBD reduces pain intensity while making it less unpleasant. The study reveals a complex interplay between the drug's physical effects and participants' expectations, challenging previous assumptions about pain relief.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalExperimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology·DateApr 23, 2021

Body's natural pain killers can be enhanced

A study in cells and mice finds a positive allosteric modulator can boost endorphins' ability to activate the mu-opioid receptor, producing analgesia with reduced side effects. The compound shows promise as an alternative to traditional opioid drugs for pain relief.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2021

Fiber optic cable monitors microseismicity in Antarctica

Researchers use fiber optic cable to detect small earthquakes in ice, offering insights into ice movement and deformation under changing climate conditions. The technique also improves monitoring of underground carbon capture and storage projects.,

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 23, 2021

How philosophy can change the understanding of pain

Researchers advocate for a comprehensive approach to chronic pain management by considering the person as a whole. This includes addressing socio-cultural practices, subjective experience, and learning behavioral patterns to develop an action-oriented treatment plan.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalSynthese·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

A breakthrough astrophysics code rapidly models stellar collisions

The Octo-Tiger code simulates stellar mergers with superior speeds and accuracy, allowing for more detailed simulations and exploration of new parameter space. The research demonstrates the code's performance on Australia's fastest supercomputer, showcasing its potential for tackling complex astrophysical problems.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 23, 2021

Arena Pharmaceuticals presents clinician and patient reported outcomes data from phase 2b ADVISE trial evaluating etrasimod in adult atopic dermatitis during a late-breaking session at American Academy of Dermatology VMX

Etrasimod demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in both clinical signs of atopic dermatitis and patient reported outcomes. The treatment group achieved statistical significance in the percentage change in weekly peak pruritis, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM).

SourceLaVoieHealthScience·DateApr 23, 2021

From toxic ions to single-atom copper

Researchers have discovered a new method for converting toxic copper ions into stable single-atom copper using bacteria found in copper mines. This process is safer and more efficient than current methods, which often require harsh chemicals and labor-intensive processes.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 23, 2021

Simple robots, smart algorithms

A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed simple robots, dubbed 'dumb robots', which can collectively clear debris despite their simplicity. The BOBbots use task embodiment to achieve complex tasks without sensors or programming.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Mount Sinai study finds that blood clotting drug commonly used for orthopedic surgeries does not increase complications for high-risk patients

A Mount Sinai study of over 40,000 patients reveals that tranexamic acid use in high-risk patients does not increase complications such as deep vein blood clots or strokes. The study confirms prior findings and provides new insights into the safety of the drug when used in high-risk patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgeries.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAnesthesiology·DateApr 23, 2021

Targeting drug-resistant breast cancer with estrogen

Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have found that cycling between estrogen treatment and anti-estrogen therapies can dramatically increase the duration of tumor regression in mice. This unconventional approach suggests treating short-term with estrogen before resistance occurs, leading to better long-term control.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalOncogene·DateApr 23, 2021