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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 15


Page 15 of 46

Political polarization: Often not as bad as we think

A new global study replicates earlier research in the US, finding that people's perceptions of their opponents are often exaggerated and misinformed. The study suggests that informing individuals about the true feelings of those on the opposite side can mitigate polarization.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 22, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Freeze! Executioner protein caught in the act

WeHI researchers used monobodies to 'freeze' MLKL at different stages of its activation, mapping how its three-dimensional structure changed. This revealed potential target sites for drugs that could block necroptosis, a key contributor to inflammatory diseases.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2021

Unlocking Australia's biodiversity, one dataset at a time

The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a national biodiversity database that provides reliable data for scientists, policy-makers, and environmental planners. It contains nearly 95 million occurrence records of over 111,000 species, showcasing its potential to support the development of science and decision-making.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateApr 22, 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.

Fighting harmful bacteria with nanoparticles

Researchers develop nanoparticles that penetrate human cells and destroy bacteria, offering new hope against antibiotic resistance. The particles use cerium oxide to create reactive oxygen species that kill germs, reducing the likelihood of resistance development.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalNanoscale·DateApr 22, 2021

Groundwater wells worldwide run risk of running dry

According to a new study, nearly 20% of groundwater wells globally are at risk of drying up if groundwater levels decline. This is largely due to increasing demand and inadequate governance or management, putting critical vulnerabilities to even modest reductions in groundwater levels.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2021

Under pressure: Manipulating protein-mimicking molecules with hydrostatic pressure

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology discover that hydrostatic pressure can dynamically control the conformations of artificial molecules called foldamers, which mimic proteins. This finding opens doors to future development of pressure-sensitive materials and has implications for understanding biological processes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemical Science·DateApr 22, 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.

NAOC scientists make further step towards understanding dark energy

Researchers have made a significant step in understanding dark energy using the eBOSS survey, detecting its existence at a 11-sigma significance. The study employed multi-tracer analysis to mitigate systematics and achieve robust cosmological results.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 22, 2021
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.

Updated results on coronavirus vaccination effectiveness

The study found that the vaccine is highly effective across all age ranges, with 92% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease in individuals 70 years and older. Vaccine effectiveness varied among subpopulations, with slightly lower rates in multi-morbid populations and immunosuppressed individuals.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 22, 2021

'Stickiness' key to better diagnostics and pharmaceuticals

The University of Queensland's technology uses lasers to track microscale particles with world-record precision, measuring viscosity a thousand times faster than ever before. This breakthrough may lead to a fundamental revision of scientists' understanding of cells, enabling faster and more accurate pharmaceutical testing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 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.

Plant provenance influences pollinators

Researchers at the University of Münster studied the impact of plant seed provenance on pollinator diversity and frequency. They found that plants from different regions influenced pollinators' visits to flowers, with some regions offering more frequent interactions.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 22, 2021

Miniaturized models of neuron-muscle interactions give insight in ALS

Researchers created mini-chambers on a microfluidic device where human motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells grew, forming neuromuscular junctions. The study found that ALS motor neurons formed fewer connections and regenerated axons less efficiently than healthy ones.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 22, 2021

Better country dementia care

A pilot program in five Australian nursing homes shows personalized music selections reduce resident agitation and staff stress levels, leading to improved wellbeing and reduced medication use.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Geriatrics·DateApr 22, 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.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face high mortality rate

A worldwide study of 2,100 pregnant women found that those who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy were 20 times more likely to die than those who did not contract the virus. The study also showed that infected mothers and their newborns experienced preterm birth, preeclampsia, and ICU admissions.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 22, 2021

Hunger cues

Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 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.

SMART breakthrough in materials discovery enables 'twistronics' for bulk systems

Researchers have discovered a new way to control light emission from materials by stacking films at a twist angle, enabling efficient and systematic control of optical properties. The discovery has significant implications for applications in medicine, environmental technologies, and information systems.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2021

Know your ally: Cooperative male dolphins can tell who's on their team

Research led by University of Bristol scientists reveals that male dolphins categorize allies according to a shared cooperative history. Dolphins respond strongly to friends who have consistently helped them in the past, while ignoring those who haven't, indicating a social concept of 'team membership'.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2021
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.

Uniquely sharp X-ray view

For the first time, scientists have successfully used transient grating spectroscopy with ultrafast X-rays to explore material properties at the atomic level. This method allows for the observation of individual atoms and selective measurement of specific chemical elements in a mixture of substances.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 2021

XYZeq: A better map of cell diversity

A new method called XYZeq allows researchers to map variation across cells in a tissue or tumor, gaining insight into their spatial location and function. The technique enables the analysis of cellular patterns in complex environments like cancerous tumors and other organs.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2021

Increased tourniquet use has saved lives in Los Angeles County

Increased tourniquet use in Los Angeles County has improved patient survival and reduced the need for blood transfusions. The study found that patients with prehospital tourniquets had lower mortality rates, fewer delayed amputations, and lessened blood transfusion requirements.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 22, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Romantic relationships mitigate effects of trauma on alcohol use among college students

A study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that romantic relationships can help alleviate the negative impact of trauma on drinking behavior among college students. The study, which involved nearly 9,000 participants, discovered that students who experienced interpersonal trauma during college consumed more alcohol t...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalAddiction·DateApr 22, 2021

Experimental drug shows potential against Alzheimer's disease

Researchers developed a novel drug that increases LAMP2A receptors, revitalizing chaperone-mediated autophagy and removing toxic protein aggregates. In mouse models of Alzheimer's, the drug reversed key symptoms, suggesting potential for human treatment.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateApr 22, 2021

How is a molecular machine assembled?

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and collaborators isolated a PS II transition complex with three helper proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals a novel protective mechanism that prevents the formation of aggressive oxygen species during assembly, allowing for a more efficient and stable machine.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 22, 2021

Fifty years of collaborative science

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is celebrating 50 years of sharing scientific knowledge, with millions of users accessing its data for fundamental biology, energy, and biomedicine. The event highlights the PDB's role in understanding protein folding, including SARS-CoV-2, and structural biology's impact on medicine and drug discovery.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateApr 22, 2021
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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Membranes unlock potential to vastly increase cell-free vaccine production

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new biomanufacturing platform that can increase protein-based vaccine yields by five-fold and reduce production costs to $1 per dose. The technology utilizes enriched cell-free extracts with cellular membranes, significantly broadening access to potentially lifesaving medicines.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2021

3D printed models provide clearer understanding of ground motion

Researchers are using 3D printed models to study ground motion after earthquakes, providing a novel platform for seismic experiments. The models replicate complex topographical features and allow scientists to simulate how seismic waves interact with the Earth's surface.

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 22, 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 trace spinal neuron family tree

Salk researchers have traced the development of spinal cord neurons using genetic signatures, revealing new ways of classifying and tagging subsets of cells. The findings offer a precise way to study the function of spinal cord neurons and their role in regulating body movements.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2021

Recreating the earliest stages of life

Researchers successfully generate synthetic mouse embryos containing the three fundamental cell types normally found in pre-implantation embryos. The study provides strong evidence that the system is a good model for studying early embryo development, shedding light on the mechanisms of totipotency and the causes of early pregnancy loss.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 22, 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.

Why the human body has not evolved to make childbirth easier -- or has it?

Researchers used engineering tools to investigate the pelvic floor hypothesis, which states that trade-offs exist between supporting childbirth and protecting organs. A larger pelvic floor would facilitate easier childbirth but risk deforming under weight, causing organs to fall downward.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2021

Improving survival in pancreatic cancer

Nagoya University researchers discovered a molecular pathway that enhances chemotherapy resistance in some pancreatic cancer patients. Targeting the taurine upregulating gene 1 (TUG1) RNA could improve patient response to therapy and increase overall survival.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCancer Research·DateApr 22, 2021

Black, Hispanic, impoverished people have worse survival rates among teens, adults under 40 with cancer, UTSW review shows

A UT Southwestern Medical Center review of Texas Cancer Registry data found that Black and Hispanic patients under 40 with cancer have lower survival rates compared to their white counterparts. The study also showed that poverty and lack of insurance coverage exacerbate these disparities.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 22, 2021
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.