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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 7


Page 7 of 46

Two compounds can make chocolate smell musty and moldy

Two compounds, (-)-geosmin and 3-methyl-1H-indole, are found to be primary contributors to the musty and moldy scents of cocoa beans. Measuring their amounts within cocoa beans could help detect off-putting scents and flavors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2021

Treating neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome

Researchers at INRS discovered a compound that alleviates some neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 newborns. The treatment targets GABAergic neurons and shows therapeutic effects on both neurological and behavioral symptoms.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalEMBO Reports·DateApr 28, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Severe COVID-19 cases can be predicted by new test

A two-step prognostic test can predict patient response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, guiding therapeutic choices before severe symptoms appear. The test combines a disease risk factor score with antibodies produced early in the infection.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·DateApr 28, 2021

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions updates consensus guidelines on best practices

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions has released updated consensus guidelines on best practices in cardiac catheterization laboratories. The new recommendations focus on patient-centered approaches, staff qualifications, and quality metrics to optimize outcomes. The document covers topics such as pre-procedure ...

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateApr 28, 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.

Harvesting water from air with hydrogels and MOFs

Researchers have developed hybrid materials that combine hydrogels and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water harvesting technologies for various environments. These materials have the potential to provide a sustainable source of water in arid conditions, as well as improve energy efficiency in air conditioning systems.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 28, 2021

Virtual reality could help improve balance in older people

Researchers found virtual reality (VR) effective in assessing balance and improving postural control in older adults. VR systems can differentiate healthy from balance-impaired individuals and provide a more natural and relevant testing environment.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·DateApr 28, 2021

Wasps are valuable for ecosystems, economy and human health (just like bees)

A review of over 500 academic papers found that wasps are valuable for agriculture, providing biocontrol services worth $416 billion annually. Wasps also contribute to pollination, visiting 960 plant species, including those dependent on them for reproduction. Their venom and saliva have medicinal properties.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBiological Reviews·DateApr 28, 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.

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.

Sperm development linked to testicular cancer

A study has found that sperm development is linked to testicular cancer in men. Germ cells that fail to undergo sex-specific differentiation and retain pluripotent features are more likely to transform into cancer cells.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDevelopment·DateApr 28, 2021

Espresso, latte or decaf? Genetic code drives your desire for coffee

A recent study found a causal genetic link between coffee consumption and cardio health, suggesting that genetics play a role in regulating safe levels of caffeine. People with high blood pressure are more likely to avoid or limit their caffeine intake.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateApr 28, 2021

Is forest harvesting increasing in Europe?

A team of scientists has re-evaluated the forest harvesting trends in Europe, finding that an abrupt increase of 69% reported by a previous study was incorrect. Instead, they found a more modest 6% increase in forest harvests over the same period.

SourceBangor University·JournalNature·DateApr 28, 2021

Protein linked to sex differences in age-related dopamine neuron loss

Researchers discovered that a protein called VGLUT plays a key role in regulating sex differences in brain vulnerability to age-related dopamine neuron loss. Higher levels of VGLUT were found in female neurons, correlating with greater resilience to neurodegeneration and mobility deficiencies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAging Cell·DateApr 28, 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.

Mapping the electronic states in an exotic superconductor

Researchers characterized how electronic states depend on local chemical composition in a compound containing iron, tellurium, and selenium. They discovered that low iron concentration leads to superconductivity and distinct magnetic correlations, while high tellurium concentration creates a topological surface state.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 28, 2021

Texas Biomed shares critical work in development of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

The article discusses the critical role of Texas Biomed in the development of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine through preclinical testing. Scientists tested two mRNA vaccine candidates in rhesus macaques, showing high effectiveness in protecting against SARS-CoV-2, and highlighting the importance of rapid therapy and vaccine development.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2021

Omega-3 supplements help kids with high cholesterol improve lipid profile

A new study found that fatty acid supplements may protect children with high cholesterol from heart disease by increasing their blood levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers discovered that an EPA supplement improved the lipid profile in the blood, reducing the risk of coronary artery disease and promoting healthy aging.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 27, 2021

Toward a feasible alternative to liver organ transplant

Researchers have made new discoveries about fetal liver cells that could help make liver cell transplants more effective. Fetal liver cells can multiply and maintain function for long periods when used in transplants, but adult liver cells do not share this ability.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 27, 2021

Hepatitis C drugs boost Remdesivir's antiviral activity against COVID-19

Researchers found that four hepatitis C drugs boost remdesivir's efficacy by up to tenfold in cell cultures. This combination therapy may provide an immediate treatment for unvaccinated individuals or those with waning immunity. The study aimed to develop an oral drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 like remdesivir.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 27, 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.

Study of oak forests of European Russia elucidates climate change in the region

A study of oak forests in European Russia has provided new insights into the region's climate change. Researchers developed a classification system based on the Braun-Blanquet method, identifying two new associations and demonstrating the uniqueness of steppe oak forests compared to xero-mesophytic European oak forests.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalVegetation Classification and Survey·DateApr 27, 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.

Study suggests that silicon could be a photonics game-changer

Researchers discovered silicon's strongest nonlinearity, allowing for extremely weak beams to be used in photonic applications. This breakthrough could lead to the production of silicon processors with built-in light beam control capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateApr 27, 2021

New duckbilled dinosaur discovered in Japan

A new genus and species of hadrosaur, Yamatosaurus izanagii, has been identified in Japan, revealing insights into the herbivores' migration from Asia to North America. The discovery also highlights an evolutionary step as dinosaurs transitioned from bipedalism to quadrupedalism.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 27, 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.

Physicists net neutron star gold from measurement of lead

Researchers made a precise measurement of the lead nucleus's neutron skin, revealing it's thicker than expected. This thickness has implications for the physical processes in neutron stars and their size.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 27, 2021

New AI tool calculates materials' stress and strain based on photos

Engineers can now determine material properties like stress and strain from images of their internal structure, reducing computational complexity. The AI-powered approach uses computer vision and machine learning to generate estimates in real-time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 27, 2021

Extinct 'horned' crocodile gets new spot in the tree of life

A new study resolves the horned crocodile's evolutionary relationships, placing it on a separate branch of the crocodile family tree. The research suggests that modern crocodiles likely originated in Africa, contradicting previous scientific thinking.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 27, 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.

Solar-powered desalination unit shows great promise

Researchers in China have created a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy that can remove salt from seawater, producing freshwater. The device uses a titanium-containing layer and special paper to absorb sunlight and condense water vapor.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateApr 27, 2021

New 2D superconductor forms at higher temperatures than ever before

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a new 2D superconductor that forms at the interface of an oxide insulator, enabling high-temperature superconductivity and raising fundamental questions about its properties. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in quantum information processing and quantum sensing.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 27, 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.

Middle East and North Africa: Heatwaves of up to 56 degrees Celsius without climate action

A new study predicts that ignoring climate change will lead to life-threatening heatwaves in the region, with temperatures reaching up to 56 degrees Celsius and affecting 600 million people. The research team recommends immediate climate change mitigation measures to avoid such extreme events.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateApr 27, 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.

NIST study suggests how to build a better 'nanopore' biosensor

Researchers at NIST and VCU have developed a new approach to building better 'nanopore' biosensors by measuring the energy required for molecules to interact with these sensors. This laser-based heating method enables faster and more accurate measurements, potentially revolutionizing disease detection and treatment.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 27, 2021

Association of facial paralysis with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers analyzed COVID-19 vaccination data and found no significant association between mRNA vaccines and facial paralysis. The study suggests that compared to other viral vaccines, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not display a signal of facial paralysis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 27, 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.

'Smart shirt' takes a trip to space for science

Researchers developed a non-intrusive Bio-Monitor shirt to track astronauts' health during spaceflight, providing continuous measurements of heart rate, breathing rate, and physical activity. The study found significant reductions in physical activity during spaceflight, highlighting the potential for early warning systems.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 27, 2021

Study reports links between blood types and disease risks

Researchers have found a link between certain blood types and increased risk of diseases such as kidney stones, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and bleeding conditions. A study scanning health data on over five million people revealed new connections and confirmed previously reported associations.

SourceeLife·DateApr 27, 2021

New algorithm makes it easier for computers to solve decision making problems

A new approach to solving multiagent decision making problems using agent-by-agent optimization leads to reduced computational complexity, performing at par with standard rollout algorithms. The result is a dramatic reduction in computation cost with linear growth in computation with the number of agents.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateApr 27, 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.

Future drones likely to resemble 300-million-year-old flying machine

Researchers at the University of South Australia have designed a dragonfly-inspired drone that boasts superior aerodynamic performance. The drone's unique body shape and long abdomen mimic those of the insect, allowing it to hover, cruise, and perform aerobatics with ease.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalDrones·DateApr 27, 2021