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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 39


Page 39 of 46

A drug that can stop tumors from growing

Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center have discovered an NLRP3 inhibitor that can reduce inflammation in melanoma cells, potentially leading to reduced tumor growth and progression. The study's findings suggest that inhibiting NLRP3 could improve patient care for those resistant to checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Are early treatments for cerebral palsy effective?

Research on early treatments for cerebral palsy has generated limited supportive data, but emerging efforts aim to improve developmental motor outcomes in children with the condition. Newer, more targeted interventions are being explored to provide novel insights and transform treatment approaches.

SourceWiley·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·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.

One in ten have long-term effects 8 months following mild COVID-19

A study by Karolinska Institutet found that 1 in 10 healthcare workers who had mild COVID-19 experienced long-term symptoms lasting at least 8 months, including fatigue, respiratory problems, and loss of smell and taste. These findings suggest that even mild cases of the virus can have a significant impact on quality of life.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA·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.

Designing selective membranes for batteries using a drug discovery toolbox

Researchers designed a polymer membrane with molecular cages that increase lithium ion flow by an order of magnitude, improving battery power and efficiency. The solvation cages selectively capture and transport lithium ions faster than their counter anions, enabling high-voltage battery cells to operate more efficiently.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

The future of biodiversity collections

The biodiversity collections community should implement a global plan by 2030 to maximize its value to the scientific enterprise. The plan should draw on existing capacity and highlight five pillars: collecting new samples, digitization, data integration, education, and infrastructure.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateApr 7, 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.

Entropy measurements reveal exotic effect in "magic-angle" graphene

Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science and MIT measure electronic entropy in twisted bilayer graphene, revealing giant magnetic entropy. The discovery provides an electronic analogue to the Pomeranchuk effect, where a material can exhibit unusual phase transitions.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Skoltech scientists create a new electronegativity scale

Researchers at Skoltech created a new electronegativity scale, improving Pauling's original scale with a formula that treats molecule stabilization as a multiplicative effect. The new scale works for both small and large differences in electronegativity, accurately predicting chemical bond energies and reactions.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 2021

New findings on how diabetes impacts bone health

Type 1 diabetes and diabetic neuropathy contribute to various bone structure impacts but don't fully explain higher fracture risk in patients. Balance and muscle strength also play a role in increased fracture risk, according to new findings.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 7, 2021

Why our brains miss opportunities to improve through subtraction

A study by University of Virginia researchers reveals that people systematically default to additive strategies, overlooking subtractive ideas. This habit can lead to missed opportunities to improve the world through subtraction, with implications across various contexts, including engineering and policy.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 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.

Conspiracy theories and cognitive biases in the COVID-19 pandemic

A study of 1,600 people found that 1 in 10 agreed strongly with COVID-19 conspiracy theories, with younger, stressed individuals more likely to hold extreme views. Cognitive biases were also identified, with those who believed in conspiracies being less critical of contradictory information.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateApr 7, 2021

Program may help patients with rheumatic diseases quit smoking

A new protocol called Quit Connect has been shown to increase electronic referrals to free, state-run tobacco quitlines among patients with rheumatic diseases. The program, which leverages electronic health record prompts for nurses and medical assistants, resulted in a 71% increase in referrals.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateApr 7, 2021

The case for embedding equity into incident command

The authors argue that a structural change to national Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines is needed to ensure inclusion of an Equity Officer and health equity specialists. This change could help mitigate inequities in hospital responses during disasters, particularly for historically marginalized populations.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 7, 2021

New Lyme disease test distinguishes between early and late-stage disease

A new test for Lyme disease has been developed to reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients. The test targets genetic sequences left by a virus in Lyme-causing bacteria and can detect as few as one bacterial cell in a small blood sample, making it highly sensitive.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateApr 7, 2021

A new natural blue for food coloring

A new natural blue food coloring has been developed by converting anthocyanins in red cabbage using a custom enzyme. The discovery could provide an eco-friendly alternative to widely used synthetic blue dyes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 7, 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 muon's magnetic moment fits just fine

Researchers estimated muon's magnetic field strength using a fully verified theory independent of experimental measurements. The result aligns with the standard model of particle physics, suggesting no need for new physics to explain the phenomenon.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 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.

Study demonstrates the need to monitor the bit area of event horses

A study by the University of Helsinki found that event horses wearing thin or thick bits had a greater risk of moderate or severe oral lesions compared to those wearing medium-sized bits. The research recommends using a jointed bit of moderate thickness, particularly for mares and certain horse breeds.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateApr 7, 2021

An amyloid link between Parkinson's disease and melanoma

Researchers found a molecular link between Parkinson's disease and melanoma, with amyloid proteins α-synuclein and Pmel interacting in melanoma cells. This interaction may lead to reduced pigment production, contributing to the increased risk of melanoma in Parkinson's patients.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateApr 7, 2021

Clinical trial completion rates decline during COVID-19 pandemic

Global clinical trial completion rates dropped by 13-23% during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. The decline was most significant in trials funded by government, academic or medical entities, and was attributed to reduced patient enrollment and increased challenges in following up on patients.

SourcePenn State·JournalClinical and Translational Science·DateApr 7, 2021

Research brief: Reflecting sunlight could cool the Earth's ecosystem

A team of researchers explored the effect of solar radiation modification technologies on ecology, focusing on a specific strategy called stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) that creates a sulfate aerosol cloud in the stratosphere to reduce incoming sunlight and radiation. The study highlights the complexity of cascading relations...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Having both hearing and vision loss may double risk of dementia

A new study published in Neurology found that losing function in both senses may put individuals at greater risk of dementia and cognitive decline years later. Researchers analyzed data from 6,520 people between the ages of 58 and 101, finding that those with both hearing and vision impairments were twice as likely to develop dementia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·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.

Johns Hopkins Medicine expert creates comprehensive guide to new diabetes drugs

A clinical practice review article by Rita Kalyani provides a systematic approach for treating patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The article recommends using GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, particularly for patients with heart or blood vessel disease, to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 7, 2021

US-Mexico asthma study examines hygiene hypothesis amid pandemic

The Binational Early Asthma and Microbiome Study (BEAMS) examines how the 'hygiene hypothesis' affects children's risk of asthma in Mexico and the US. The study explores the role of microbiomes, family health history, and environmental exposures in developing asthma.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Carbon dots from human hair boost solar cells

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed carbon dots from human hair waste to enhance perovskite solar cell performance. The carbon nanodots form a wave-like layer surrounding the perovskite crystals, protecting them from environmental factors and improving power conversion efficiency.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·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.

State immigrant policies and preterm births

A study of 3.4 million live births in 2018 found that criminalizing immigrant policies were associated with higher preterm birth rates for Black women born outside the US, while inclusive policies were linked to lower preterm birth rates for all women born outside the US and particularly White women outside the US.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 7, 2021

Red deer have personality and it is related to their dominance behavior

Researchers identified a single personality component related to Confidence/Aggressiveness in red deer, which is also linked to dominance behavior. The study's findings suggest that understanding individual differences in animal behavior can improve welfare management decisions.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalBehavioural Processes·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.

Testing a new way to tackle cancer

A collaboration between Michigan State University, Spectrum Health, and Niowave is testing a new radiotherapy approach for bladder cancer. The therapy combines radiotherapy with immunotherapy, which helps the patient's immune system fight off disease, aiming to improve safety and effectiveness.

SourceMichigan State University·DateApr 6, 2021

Insilico to present the latest advances in chemistry AI at ACS Spring 2021

Insilico Medicine will present its latest results in modern and next-generation AI for generative chemistry at ACS Spring 2021. The company's Chemistry42 platform facilitates the discovery of novel small molecule leads in several therapeutic areas, integrating AI techniques with computational and medicinal chemistry methods.

SourceInSilico Medicine·DateApr 6, 2021

IN SILICO chronicles the promises and pitfalls of big neuroscience

The film IN SILICO chronicles the ambitious quest to simulate the human brain on supercomputers, exposing controversy and ego in the scientific process. It encourages critical evaluation of brain research and technology, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to neuroscience.

SourceSciComm Services·DateApr 6, 2021

Activated carbon increases cryocooler efficiency

Researchers replaced regenerator materials with activated carbon, increasing cooling capacity and reducing temperature fluctuations. The use of superactivated carbon particles enabled the creation of a low-cost alternative to precious metals.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 6, 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.

Chest CT illuminates mortality risk in people with COPD

A study published in Radiology found that chest CT scans can assess body composition and predict mortality risk in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Higher intermuscular fat was linked to higher mortality rates, while subcutaneous adipose tissue was associated with lower risks.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateApr 6, 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.

Rising Sika deer populations linked to bovine TB infections

New research from Trinity College Dublin suggests a correlation between increasing Sika deer populations and higher local bovine TB infections in Ireland. The study found that County Wicklow is a hotspot for both Sika deer and TB infections.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateApr 6, 2021

National Science Foundation funds creation of research observatory at Gakona

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will establish a new research observatory in Gakona, Alaska, to explore the upper atmosphere and geospace environment. The observatory will use instruments such as the Ionospheric Research Instrument and lidar to study space weather and its effects on Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·DateApr 6, 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.

$10.8 million NIH grant to establish metabolic research center

The University of Arkansas has been awarded a $10.8 million NIH grant to establish an integrative metabolic research center, focusing on diseases like cancer, diabetes, and obesity. The center will combine expertise in advanced imaging, bioenergetics, and data science to explore the role of cell and tissue metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·DateApr 6, 2021

Tattoo made of gold nanoparticles revolutionizes medical diagnostics

Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz developed a novel implantable sensor using color-stable gold nanoparticles that report concentration changes of substances in the body through color changes, enabling long-term monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic success.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 6, 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.

Exploring comet thermal history: Burnt-out comet covered with talcum powder

Researchers discovered a 800-meter diameter comet nucleus with large grains of phyllosilicate, similar to talcum powder, and evidence of organic molecules. The team used the Subaru Telescope to observe thermal infrared radiation, indicating the surface temperature had reached over 330 degrees Celsius in the past.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalIcarus·DateApr 6, 2021