Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2021


Page 16 of 38

Groundbreaking visualization of atomic movements

A novel method for imaging vibrations and movements of atoms in catalysts has been developed by a collaboration of internationally leading researchers. The new analytical method reveals a dynamic behavior of the atoms, contrary to the long-held expectation that atoms in nanoparticles are static during observations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antibodies block specific viruses that cause arthritis, brain infections

Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified two antibodies that protect animals from disease caused by alphaviruses, which could form the basis of treatments or serve as a template for a universal vaccine. The antibodies worked against all tested alphaviruses and prevented arthritis and brain infections in animals.

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.

Junctional pacemaker may replace the sinoatrial node

Researchers propose using junctional pacemakers to replace the sinoatrial node in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and sinoatrial node dysfunction. This innovative approach offers a new treatment strategy for managing daily life while avoiding the need for sinoatrial node replacement surgery.

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.

Rivers are largest global source of mercury in oceans

A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that rivers are the main source of mercury in coastal areas, rather than atmospheric deposition. The Amazon River, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the top contributors, with levels highest in August and September.

Key mental abilities can actually improve during aging

New research from Georgetown University Medical Center found that certain brain functions associated with attention and executive control can improve in older individuals. These improvements may be due to lifelong practice and skill-building.

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.

Measuring electric current in soil could provide answers on soil health

Researchers at Washington State University have created a sensor that can measure the electric current produced by tiny microbes in soil, allowing for real-time assessments of soil health and potential. This breakthrough could provide farmers with valuable insights into soil productivity, enabling data-driven management strategies.

Study shows uptick in U.S. alcohol beverage sales during COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. alcohol retail store sales increased compared to usual trends, indicating a rise in home drinking and potential higher alcohol consumption. The study found that beer, wine, and liquor store sales increased by 17%, while food services and drinking places sales decreased markedly.

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.

NTU Singapore scientists develop ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have devised a new method for producing urea, a key compound in fertilisers, through electrocatalysis. This approach produces urea five times more efficiently than previous methods and has the potential to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

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.

How ions get their electrons back

Researchers created highly charged ions by removing 20-40 electrons from atoms and studied their interaction with solid materials. They found that the ions capture electrons from the material to become electrically neutral, a process that can be explained by simple laws.

Nutrient-rich human waste poised to sustain agriculture, improve economies

A new study characterizes human urine-derived nutrients for sustainable agriculture, revealing three supply-demand typologies across the globe. Countries with co-located supply-demand, like India and Uganda, can reuse nutrients locally, while dislocated countries, such as the US and Australia, need concentrated fertilizer production.

Study identifies patterns in bird-plane collisions

Researchers from Cornell University have identified key factors in bird-plane collisions, including the time of year and species size, to inform collision avoidance strategies. The study predicts that risk for damaging strikes during periods with high migration intensity increases by up to 700%.

Restoring healthy gut bacteria through blood stem cell transplantation

Researchers found that hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) normalizes the gut microbiota of patients with IBD associated with XIAP deficiency. The study revealed that HCT decreases gut inflammation and restores diversity in gut microbiota, improving symptoms and quality of life for affected individuals.

Existing drugs kill SARS-CoV2 in cells

Researchers have identified several drug contenders that can block or reduce SARS-CoV2 infection in cells, including lactoferrin and MEK-inhibitors. These findings suggest potential efficacy against COVID-19 variants, with ongoing clinical trials to examine their ability to reduce viral loads and inflammation.

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.

Baby bat babbling strikingly similar to human baby babbles

A new study reveals that baby bat babbling is strikingly similar to human infant babbling, characterized by eight shared features. Researchers hope their findings will lead to further investigation into the cognitive mechanisms underlying this complex behavior.

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.

Rare gene variant increases susceptibility to zoonotic H7N9

A new study found that rare single-nucleotide variants in the MX1 gene increase human susceptibility to zoonotic H7N9 avian influenza infection. These genetic vulnerabilities may act as incubators for transmission of virulent new IAV subtypes, posing a risk for pandemic viruses.

A master gear in the circadian clock

Researchers have identified a gene called Npas4 that appears to influence hundreds of other genes for timekeeping in the brain. The study suggests that Npas4 is a master regulator of many light-induced genes, which could lead to new treatments for managing challenges such as jet lag and sleep disorders.

Flawed quality control in the brain

Scientists developed a new mouse line to study protein balance and quality control in the mammalian brain. The research revealed that different neurodegenerative diseases have distinct protein misfolding patterns, offering insights into potential therapeutic options.

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.

Effect of ‘eddy killing’ in oceans is no longer a matter of guesswork

A new method by University of Rochester scientists documents the impact of wind on mesoscale eddies, revealing a continual loss of 50 gigawatts of kinetic energy. This discovery provides a more detailed spatial analysis than existing methods and has significant implications for understanding ocean currents and climate.

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.

US influence on Australia’s illegal pet trade

A study by University of Adelaide researchers found that unregulated reptile trade in the US drives demand for illegal reptiles in Australia. Three reptile families had the highest probability of being smuggled, with species listed in CITES Appendices I having a higher smuggling probability

Researchers find circular RNA can inhibit metastasis of gastric cancer

A recent study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that circular RNA circURI1 inhibits the spread of gastric cancer cells. It achieves this by sequestering hnRNPM, modulating alternative splicing in gastric cancer cells. This breakthrough provides a new perspective on the molecular basis of cancer metastasis.

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.

Gender pay gaps: Self-sabotaging diversity and profits in Aussie firms

A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that Australian firms with large gender pay gaps are not only perpetuating inequality but also harming their overall performance. The research found that women executives in top management teams can lower a firm's annual return on assets by 2.2%.

Short hospitalizations hit hard for COVID patients

A US nationwide cohort study found that nearly 85% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were not back to their pre-COVID lives one month later. The study also revealed significant factors driving people's inability to recover, including a lack of follow-up healthcare services and new disabilities preventing daily activities.

8 weeks of meditation studies can make your brain quicker

A new study from Binghamton University tracked how practicing meditation for just a couple of months changed the brain patterns of 10 students. The results show that meditation training led to faster switching between the brain's two general states of consciousness, indicating an effect on fast switching and maintaining attention.

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.

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.

What if our history was written in our grammar?

An international team reconstructed language families spanning over 10,000 years by combining genetics, linguistics, and musicology data. Grammar was found to reflect population history more closely than other cultural features, highlighting the importance of the grammatical factor in understanding human cultural evolution.