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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 26


Page 26 of 46

Modelling ancient antarctic ice sheets helps us see future of global warming

Researchers at UMass Amherst used a novel approach to model ancient Antarctic ice sheets, revealing a thick but diminished ice sheet under mid-Miocene warmest conditions. The study suggests that greater precipitation led to a thickening of the ice sheet's interior regions, with potential implications for future sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateApr 15, 2021

Respiratory viral pathogens, quickly caught on-site!

Researchers developed a plasmonic isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) array chip that can detect 8 types of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, in 30 minutes. The technology has been patented in Korea, the US, and China, and is planned to be applied for approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateApr 15, 2021

Unearthing neanderthal population history using ancient nuclear DNA

Researchers developed methods to recover, enrich and analyze archaic human nuclear DNA from cave sediments. This approach revealed new insights into Neanderthal population history, including a replacement event in northern Spain about 100,000 years ago.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021

Nerve stimulation reduces pain and opioid use after orthopedic surgery

Researchers found that percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation significantly reduced postoperative pain scores by over 50% and opioid consumption by 80%. The technique, which delivers mild electrical stimulation to the nerve, could be a safe and effective adjunct for pain management after surgery.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateApr 15, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

AI pinpoints local pollution hotspots using satellite images

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to autonomously find hotspots of heavy air pollution using machine learning, satellite imagery, and weather data. This technique can help identify sources of hazardous aerosols and study their effects on human health.

SourceDuke University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateApr 15, 2021

How changing income assistance payment schedules impact drug use and related harm

A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health investigates the effects of altering income assistance payment schedules on drug use and related harms. Varying the timing and frequency of payments reduced escalations in drug use around government payment days, but also had unintended consequences that increased exposure to violence.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateApr 15, 2021

Plastics could see a second life as biodegradable surfactants

Researchers at iCOUP have developed a chemical process that breaks down polyolefins into valuable biodegradable chemicals. These chemicals can be used as surfactants, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalChem·DateApr 15, 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.

The architect of genome folding

Researchers discovered that HP1a is required to establish proper chromatin structure at multiple hierarchical levels during early embryonic development. The protein plays a central role in maintaining individual chromosome integrity and establishing the global structure of the genome.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2021

Designing better antibody drugs with artificial intelligence

A team of scientists developed a machine learning method that optimizes antibody properties, identifying potential candidates for therapeutic use. The new approach increased the candidate pool from thousands to millions, leading to improved drug efficacy and stability.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 15, 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.

Materials Research Society Fellow

David C. Martin, a University of Delaware professor, is advancing novel polymeric materials to integrate electronics with human brain tissue. He has been named a Materials Research Society Fellow for his work on conjugated polymers for interfacing electronic biomedical devices with living tissue.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateApr 15, 2021

Worm infestation in intestine has a remote effect on viral defenses

A study by Universities of Cape Town and Bonn found that helminth-infected mice developed severe symptoms after infection with a genital herpes virus. This remote effect is thought to be caused by misdirected immune response, where eosinophil granulocytes accumulate in the vagina and secrete cell-damaging enzymes.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 15, 2021

How can we conserve Seychelles giant trevallies?

New research reveals that Seychelles giant trevally's home range increases as it grows, emphasizing the need for long-term tracking and monitoring of threatened species. The study suggests conserving nursery areas like St Joseph Atoll to protect the next generation and finding a balance between harvesting and catch-and-release fishing.

SourceSave Our Seas Foundation·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateApr 15, 2021

Investigating heavy quark physics with the LHCb experiment

The LHCb experiment has probed the nature of physics for ten years, examining CP violation and symmetry between matter and antimatter. The review highlights its achievements in studying heavy quarks and their interactions, shedding light on the universe's fundamental questions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateApr 15, 2021
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.

Patients of women doctors more likely to be vaccinated against the flu

Research at UCLA Health Sciences suggests that elderly patients of female physicians are more likely to be vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19. The trend holds across all racial and ethnic groups studied, with Black patients being about 14 percentage points less likely to be vaccinated than white patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 15, 2021

Thirdhand smoke exposure linked to fabric type, heat, and humidity

A UC Riverside-led team developed a simple method to assess contaminants in household fabrics exposed to thirdhand smoke. The study found that THS chemicals are more extractable from fabrics in humid environments, posing greater exposure risks for people living in such conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 15, 2021

How common is stroke in people critically ill with COVID-19?

Among people critically ill with COVID-19 hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU), a large study found that only 2% experienced a stroke after admission. Hemorrhagic stroke was linked to a significantly higher risk of death, while ischemic stroke did not increase mortality.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 15, 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.

Oxygen migration enables ferroelectricity on nanoscale

Scientists at the University of Groningen found that oxygen atoms migrating through a hafnium-based capacitor create spontaneous polarization, enabling ferroelectric properties. This discovery paves the way for new materials with potential applications in nanometre-sized memory and logic devices.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021

Understanding the growth of disease-causing protein fibres

Researchers from University of Bath and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source invent technique to directly measure amyloid fibril growth rate in solution. This breakthrough is crucial for understanding the diseases associated with amyloid fibrils, which are deposits of proteins linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalRSC Chemical Biology·DateApr 15, 2021

Researchers generate human-monkey chimeric embryos

Scientists have successfully generated human-monkey chimeric embryos, allowing them to study human development and disease under in vivo conditions. The research has the potential to provide new insights into evolutionary barriers to chimera generation and improve model systems for studying human biology.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2021

Water purification system engineered from wood, with help from a microwave oven

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a sustainable technique for producing hydrogel composites to remove pollutants from water. The hydrogels, made from plant cellulose and graphene oxide-like carbon dots, can effectively remove heavy metals, dyes, and other contaminants.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalSustainable Materials and Technologies·DateApr 15, 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.

One dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine may induce immunity in recovered patients, suggests new analysis

A new study found that a single dose of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine can stimulate an immune response in people who have previously recovered from COVID-19. The vaccine's ability to generate antibodies and B cell responses was shown to be effective against the South African variant.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Immunology·DateApr 15, 2021

Discovery of epigenetic factors predicting the severity of COVID-19

Researchers discovered epigenetic variations in individuals with severe COVID-19, associating them with excessive inflammatory response and poor health state. These findings enable the identification of a high-risk group (EPICOVID), warranting special care and personalized medicine approaches.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalEBioMedicine·DateApr 15, 2021
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.

Transparent nanolayers for more solar power

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich developed a nanostructured, transparent material for the front of solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 23.99%, surpassing crystalline silicon cells. The new design offers passivation, transparency, and high electrical conductivity, paving the way for large-scale industrial production.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 15, 2021

Agricultural trade across US states can mitigate economic impacts of climate change

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateApr 15, 2021

Meatpacking plants increased COVID-19 cases in US counties

A study by University of California - Davis found that meatpacking plants doubled per capita infection rates in affected counties, while chicken-processing plants increased transmission rates by 20 percent. The estimated costs to rural economies exceed $11 billion.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFood Policy·DateApr 15, 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.

eBird data used to shape eagle management

A new study uses eBird data to identify areas of low Bald Eagle abundance, paving the way for citizen-science data to shape policy decisions. The research finds that eBird data is the most accurate and reliable source for assessing eagle populations, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 15, 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.

BIO Integration Journal, Volume 2, Issue Number 1, publishes

The journal publishes an editorial, two mini review articles, two opinion articles, and an interview on various topics including COVID-19 diagnosis, dental implant biomaterials, ferroptosis resistance in cancer, and sonoporation. BIO Integration Journal is a peer-reviewed, open access international journal dedicated to modern medicine.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateApr 15, 2021

New evaluation estimates absolute abundance and preservation rate of Tyrannosaurus rex

A new study estimates that nearly 20,000 T. rex lived concurrently, with a total of 2.5 billion individuals over their entire existence. The authors used Darmuth's Law to estimate population-level traits and the rate of fossil preservation, finding that only about 1 in 80 million T. rex survived as fossilized remains.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 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.

Rural-urban divide compounds racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths, study finds

A recent study from Oregon State University found that racial and ethnic minority groups living in rural areas are at a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 than those in urban areas. The researchers suggest allocating additional resources to rural areas with high minority populations to address these disparities.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateApr 15, 2021

Artificial intelligence for space

Researchers at University of Würzburg are developing AI technology to analyze images from Mars and other planets, detecting previously unknown anomalies such as circular holes and geysers. The project aims to train AI on board a small satellite in space to learn independently and report discoveries back to Earth.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateApr 14, 2021

ACMG Foundation/David L. Rimoin Inspiring Excellence Award honors Catherine A. Ziats, MD

Catherine A. Ziats, MD, received the David L. Rimoin Inspiring Excellence Award for her platform presentation on alterations in respiratory epithelial gene SPDEF and severe disease responses to COVID-19 infection. The award recognizes her contributions to advancing our understanding of host genetic factors associated with severe COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateApr 14, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Lipid research may help solve COVID-19 vaccine challenges

Scientists have developed a method to create crystalline exoskeletons around delicate liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, stabilizing them at room temperature for up to two months. This breakthrough could help address the need for COVID-19 vaccines to be kept at below-freezing temperatures during transport and storage.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2021

3D-printed material to replace ivory

A team from TU Wien and Cubicure has developed a novel 3D-printed material called 'Digory' that can be used as a substitute for ivory in restoring art objects. The new material is processed in a hot, liquid state and hardened with UV rays to create a deceptively authentic-looking ivory substitute.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Materials Today·DateApr 14, 2021
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.

Dynamical machine learning accurately reconstructs volume interiors with limited-angle data

Researchers at MIT have developed a dynamical machine learning approach to tackle the challenge of reconstructing object interiors from limited-angle data. The method exploits sequential information to improve reconstructions, achieving promising results in weak and strong scattering conditions.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 14, 2021

Air pollution may affect severity and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients

Researchers found that high levels of particulate matter exposure were associated with a 60% higher chance of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing respiratory disease. Patients without respiratory disease showed no increased risk. Air pollution may have policy implications, such as reducing particulate exposure.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalRespiratory Medicine·DateApr 14, 2021

Your neighborhood may affect your brain health

Research suggests that social and economic conditions in neighborhoods can affect brain health, with people living in disadvantaged areas showing faster decline on cognitive tests and more brain shrinkage on scans. The study's findings may indicate the earliest stages of dementia and highlight the importance of monitoring for early signs.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 14, 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.

Shape-shifting Ebola virus protein exploits human RNA to change shape

A new study reveals how Ebola virus's VP40 protein uses human mRNA to transform into different shapes, adapting to various functions. This discovery sheds light on the fundamentals of genome-encoded information and highlights VP40 as a key vulnerability for effective therapies.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 14, 2021