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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 38


Page 38 of 46

The structure and function of cortical brain cells modulated by attention

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how cognitive control and sensory information relate to cortical machinery. Researchers found that signal propagation between cortical areas V1 and V4 is modulated by attention, challenging previous theories about parallel processing flows.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Crunching on coral

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that coral predators have a significant impact on young coral growth and survival, even when protected by fish. The study suggests that density has little effect on predation, as corals are vulnerable to predators regardless of group size or protection.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCoral Reefs·DateApr 7, 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.

Perinatal patients, nurses explain how hospital pandemic policies failed them

A new study by the University of Washington found that hospital pandemic policies harmed families and nurses, leading to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and mistrust. The policies also exacerbated existing racial biases in care, particularly for Black women and birthing people.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research·DateApr 7, 2021

Association of race/ethnicity, sex, income with well-being during COVID-19

A recent study has quantified the association of race/ethnicity, sex, income, and state-specific lockdown measures with six well-being dimensions in the United States. The research highlights disparities in well-being among different groups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 7, 2021

Fungi are present in your lungs

Researchers discovered fungi present in both healthy and diseased lungs, with no difference in composition between individuals with COPD using or not using inhaled steroids. The unique lung environment is dominated by the fungus Candida, which can cause disease when outcompeted.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 7, 2021

Measuring space-time 'entanglement' of electromagnetic waves

Scientists quantify space-time nonseparability of electromagnetic pulses using quantum state tomography and calculate fidelity, concurrence, and entanglement. They propose novel concepts for measuring space-time entanglement in structured light, opening new avenues for ultrahigh-capacity communication and high-security encryption.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateApr 7, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Society is not ready to make human brains

A new paper by Kyoto University researchers highlights the ethical implications of brain organoid research, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like dementia or schizophrenia. However, transplanting brain organoids raises concerns about consciousness, morality, and potential risks to patients.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAJOB Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 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.

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.

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study compared inpatient and outpatient surgical volumes during the pandemic and found significant declines, especially in regions hardest hit. Outpatient volumes recovered quickly, while inpatient volumes improved to near-pre-pandemic levels by September 2020.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateApr 7, 2021

Paranoia therapy app SlowMo helps people 'slow down' and manage their fears

A new clinical trial has shown that the SlowMo therapy app is an effective means of treating paranoid thoughts in people experiencing psychosis. The app, which uses a personalized approach to help individuals feel safer in daily life, has been found to reduce paranoia and improve quality of life.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 7, 2021

Framework could support more reliable electric power distribution systems

Texas A&M researchers have developed a reliability framework to improve the distribution system, reducing interruptions by 50% and customer average interruption duration by 45%. The framework can also test the impact of installing rooftop solar and energy storage on the system.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy·DateApr 7, 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.

'Patchwork' tumors prevalent across multiple cancer types

Researchers found that tumour samples from over 2,600 patients with different types of cancer contain a high prevalence of genetic diversity within individual tumours. This variation is a challenge for doctors as treatment may not be effective against another subclone, and certain subclones can initiate tumour spread or drug resistance.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalCell·DateApr 7, 2021

Genomes of the earliest Europeans

Researchers sequenced the genomes of the oldest Europeans, finding they contributed genes to present-day East Asians and had extensive Neandertal DNA. This suggests frequent mixing with Neandertals when first modern humans arrived in Europe.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 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.

Study revises understanding of cancer metabolism

A recent study by Vanderbilt researchers reveals that non-cancer cells in a tumor, primarily immune cells called macrophages, have the highest glucose uptake, upending traditional models of cancer metabolism. This finding could lead to new therapies and imaging strategies.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Crohn's disease may be caused by immune signaling failure

Researchers found that T cells in the small intestine have evolved a molecular sensing mechanism to protect themselves from toxic bile acids. This mechanism can be manipulated with small drug-like molecules, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Anticoagulation and cerebral small vessel disease

A new study links cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) to intracerebral hemorrhages under anticoagulation, suggesting SVD as a precondition. The study suggests blood thinning alone can no longer be considered a cause of intracerebral hemorrhages.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·DateApr 7, 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.

Estimating costs of uterine transplantation

A study of nine uterine transplants from living donors has provided an initial estimate of costs, with total average cost per transplant reported as EUR 74,564. Sick leave accounted for the largest portion of these costs.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateApr 7, 2021

Weather radar for ecological forecasting can lessen hazards for migratory birds

Researchers used weather radar to create a forecasting system for nocturnal bird migration in the US, finding that just 10 nights of action can reduce risk by 50% for avian migrants passing over an area. This data enables more 'mindful' approaches to protect migrating birds from threats like light pollution and collisions with structures.

SourceColorado State University·JournalConservation Biology·DateApr 7, 2021

Unraveling the mysteries of sleep disorders in multiple system atrophy

A new study reveals that sleep disorders are a common symptom of multiple system atrophy, with greater severity correlating to more neuronal damage. The research found specific associations between sleep-related symptoms and MSA severity, including the parkinsonism subtype.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·DateApr 7, 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.

Manual workers face twice the risk of developing ALS

Researchers found that manual workers are twice as likely to develop ALS, with close to two-thirds of patients reporting a blue-collar job. The study also discovered that jobs involving sustained physical exertion, such as construction and carpentry, were associated with a higher risk of bulbar-onset ALS.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration·DateApr 7, 2021

NIH-funded researchers develop language test for people with Down syndrome

A new test has been developed to evaluate expressive language skills in individuals with Down syndrome, offering a more effective approach than current methods. The test was found to be reliable and consistent across different versions, making it suitable for most individuals between the ages of 6 and 23.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalJournal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders·DateApr 7, 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.

High index surfaces-exposed PtCu3@Pt3Cu@Pt nanodendrites as ORR electrocatalyst

Researchers designed a nanodendrite Pt-Cu alloy electrocatalyst with high-index surfaces and graded composition, achieving excellent mass and area activities for oxygen reduction reaction. The catalyst's unique morphology and composition provide a high specific surface area to improve Pt utilization and enhance ORR activity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 7, 2021

Urolithin A shows effective against muscular dystrophy

Researchers have found that Urolithin A can delay the progression of Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy in mice by restoring mitochondrial activity and increasing mitophagy. This natural compound has shown promise in improving muscle health and performance, with significant increases in grip strength and running performance.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 7, 2021

Nanoparticles reveal their location via mirror SELFI

Researchers used mirror SELFI to detect nanoparticles' size and location with nanometre resolution, enabling tracking of disease-causing viruses. This breakthrough could lead to new sensing methods for biomedical applications.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 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.

Projecting cancer cases, types, deaths in US to 2040

Researchers project the most common and deadly cancers in the US by 2040, with breast cancer expected to remain top type. The study also highlights an increasing trend of cancers affecting younger populations, such as thyroid and testicular cancers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 7, 2021

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted peoples' interactions with nature?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's interactions with nature in both positive and negative ways, providing valuable knowledge about these interactions. The article highlights the potential long-term consequences of this shift and recommends further research to establish actions that can positively impact humans and nature.

SourceWiley·JournalPeople and Nature·DateApr 7, 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.

Myositis-specific autoreactive T cells are pathogenic for dermatomyositis

Researchers used a mouse model to identify the role of autoreactive T cells against transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) in dermatomyositis. The study found that autoreactive CD8+ T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease, while autoantibodies are non-pathogenic clinical markers.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateApr 7, 2021

Particle physics: Will muons lead us towards a new physics?

A new theoretical calculation of the muon magnetic moment has reduced the discrepancy with experimental measurements, but sparks debate on the standard model's fate. The calculation, involving CNRS physicists, used precise measurements made with electron-positron colliders and European supercomputers.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Neanderthal ancestry identifies oldest modern human genome

Researchers have identified the oldest reconstructed modern human genome, dating back around 2,000 years, from a fossil skull in Czechia. The study suggests that early modern humans did not successfully adapt to Europe, with a possible explanation being the Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic eruption.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 7, 2021

Wellness, burnout, and discrimination among BIPOC counseling students

A survey-based study of 105 BIPOC graduate-level counseling students found that discrimination negatively affects overall wellbeing and leads to burnout. The study emphasizes the need for proactive inclusion and diversity in counseling programs to address these barriers.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Multicultural Counseling and Development·DateApr 7, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Carbon dioxide levels reflect COVID-19 risk

Researchers confirmed that doubling CO2 levels roughly doubles the risk of transmission. The model considers infection numbers in the local community but not air flow through rooms. Low CO2 levels can minimize COVID-19 risk, regardless of space activity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateApr 7, 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.

A protein with a dual role: Both repair and mutation

The Mfd protein's dual role in repairing bacterial DNA and promoting mutations has been discovered, offering new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. This phenomenon could also lead to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

How Japanese speakers confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that Japanese speakers often confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/ due to palatalized tongue articulation. Real-time MRI and supercomputer simulations revealed that acoustic contrast between the sounds can be produced by differences in tongue shape in the transverse direction.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 7, 2021

New method advances single-cell transcriptomic technologies

A new method called ACME has revolutionized single-cell transcriptomic technologies by enabling accurate cell fixation and dissociation without causing cell stress. This allows scientists to study thousands of individual cells from living organisms, one-by-one, and sequence each cell's genetic material.

SourceOxford Brookes University·JournalGenome Biology·DateApr 7, 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.