Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2021


Page 19 of 38

Pancreatic cancer trials are no more diverse now than over a decade ago

Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and Asian Americans remain underrepresented in pancreatic cancer clinical trials, despite federal mandates. The lack of diversity hurts patients and science alike, with racial and ethnic minorities accounting for a disproportionate burden of pancreatic cancer cases.

How special are we?

A recent study sheds light on the formation of planetary systems like our own, suggesting that nearby supernovas may have contaminated gas with radioactive material. The researchers found a 59% chance that the enrichment process in Ophiuchus star-forming region is due to supernovas.

Brain organoids develop optic cups that respond to light

Researchers generated brain organoids containing functional optic cups from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), demonstrating intrinsic self-patterning ability. The optic cups exhibited light sensitivity, diverse retinal cell types, and connectivity to brain regions.

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.

A new approach to curing HIV

A new strategy for curing HIV targets latent viruses by blocking and excising the virus, offering hope for patients to be taken off daily treatments. The HOPE Collaboratory's approach uses genome editing technology to destroy latent HIV.

New exotic magnetic quasiparticle "skyrmion bundle" joins topological zoo

Researchers discovered a new family member of topological magnetic structures, the skyrmion bundle, which exhibits arbitrary topological charges. The study used Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and found collective motions and topological sign dependence of Hall sideway shifts driven by nanosecond pulsed currents.

Europe-wide political divide emerging between cities and countryside – study

A new study reveals a deepening geographical fracture in European societies, with rural areas showing lower trust in politics but higher voting rates. The research suggests that mainstream politicians must address feelings of disconnection from politics and provide economic opportunities to re-engage residents of small towns and villages.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

US health care spending by race, ethnicity

Researchers estimated health care spending by race and ethnicity in the US from 2002 to 2016, finding that Hispanic patients faced the highest costs. The study suggests racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare spending are significant, affecting patient outcomes and access to care.

Ageing cuttlefish can remember the details of last week’s dinner

Researchers found that ageing cuttlefish can remember the details of last week's dinner, unlike humans who gradually lose episodic memory with age. The 'vertical lobe' brain region associated with learning and memory in cuttlefish does not deteriorate until the last two to three days of life.

Contact tracing is key to suppressing COVID-19

A new University of Georgia study models the impact of three interventions - social distancing, contact tracing, and case isolation - on containing COVID-19. The researchers found that robust contact tracing was essential in suppressing outbreaks, with a significant increase in cases when efforts were less efficient.

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.

Dieting: Villain or scapegoat?

Research suggests that dieting is a consequence of an unhealthy food environment, rather than the cause of weight loss problems. Experts recommend refocusing concerns on changing the food environment to curb dieting and related issues.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Ice formation on surfaces enhanced via a non-classical nucleation process

Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have discovered a non-classical nucleation process that can greatly facilitate ice formation on foreign surfaces. This finding has the potential to decelerate glacier melting and alleviate environmental concerns by predicting and controlling crystallization processes.

Microbiology: Bacterial evolution in ancient sub-seafloor sediments

A new study reveals that bacterial evolution can occur in ancient sub-seafloor sediments with low nutrient availability. The genomes of bacteria isolated from these sediments show a high proportion of pseudogenes and reduced genetic recombination, leading to the accumulation of deleterious mutations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

On the road to faster and more efficient data storage

Researchers have discovered a way to induce magnetic waves in antiferromagnets using ultrafast laser pulses, potentially leading to faster and more efficient data storage. This technology could endow materials with new functionalities for energy-efficient and ultrafast data storage applications.

Study: Pregnant women do well with COVID vaccine

A survey of over 17,000 pregnant and lactating individuals who received the COVID-19 vaccine found that they did not experience symptoms more severe than non-pregnant counterparts. The study's lead author notes that pregnant people do well with the vaccine and should be included in clinical trials for other relevant vaccines.

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.

Indigenous territories fight climate change

Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.

How COVID-19 death rates impacted 2020 presidential voting patterns

A Northwestern University study found that COVID-19 death rates had a significant impact on the 2020 presidential election. Counties with high mortality rates saw smaller increases in Democratic voters, while those with lower mortality rates saw larger increases in support for Joe Biden.

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.

Should cancer patients participate in tumour conferences?

A new study investigated the benefits of patient participation in tumour conferences for complex cancer cases. Most respondents perceived their participation as a positive experience, finding it informative and recommended to others. However, some patients reported feelings of fear and uncertainty after participating in the conference.

Free electron laser insight: laser-beam interaction in a dipole magnet

Researchers have directly measured the interaction between an ultraviolet laser and a relativistic electron beam in a dipole magnet. The study shows that energy modulation of the electron beam can be effectively tailored, leading to precise bends in the pathway and improved FEL pulse properties.

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.

Leaping squirrels could help scientists develop more agile robots

Researchers at UC Berkeley studied how squirrels decide whether to take a leap and assess their biomechanical abilities to know whether they can land safely. They found that squirrels learn to adapt their leaping strategy in just a few attempts, depending on the branch's compliance and gap distance.

Texas A&M engineers grow 3D bioprinted blood vessel

Researchers designed a 3D-bioprinted model of a blood vessel that mimics its state of health and disease, enabling more accurate cardiovascular drug advancements. The team's novel nanoengineered bioink offers high printability and ability to protect encapsulated cells.

New tool to quantify risk of cognitive dysfunction in drug treatment programs

Researchers have developed a simple assessment tool to evaluate patients' risk of cognitive dysfunction in drug treatment programs. The tool combines cognitive measures with patient demographics and health history to produce an overall risk score, helping staff identify accommodations needed for effective treatment.

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.

Ultra-complex structure of carbon disulfide proved under high pressure

A study by researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science reveals that non-molecular carbon disulfide exhibits a mixture of 3 and 4-fold coordinated carbon atoms, contradicting the long-held Bridgman's polymer model. This finding enhances understanding of bonding behaviors in group IV and VI AB2 compounds.

Vitamin D may protect against young-onset colorectal cancer

A study found that total vitamin D intake of 300 IU per day or more was associated with a 50% lower risk of developing young-onset colorectal cancer. Higher dietary vitamin D intake was linked to a reduced risk of colon polyps detected before age 50.

Nanomotors for glucose-powered catalytic motion

A research team at POSTECH has developed a biocompatible nanomotor that mimics life's autonomous motility using glucose as fuel. The nanomotors exhibit directional propulsion, overcoming Brownian motion, and show potential for intracellular targeted drug delivery and precise cell manipulation.

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.

New way of analyzing tree rings confirms unprecedented central Asia warming

Researchers reconstructed Mongolia's temperature history using a new tree ring analysis method, confirming record-breaking summer warmth over the past eight centuries. The study supports the delta blue intensity method and enhances climate projections, highlighting the urgent need to address Central Asia's rapid warming.

Light can trigger key signaling pathway for embryonic development, cancer

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a method to regulate the Wnt signaling pathway using blue light, allowing them to study its functions in embryonic development and cancer. This approach enables precise control over the pathway's activity, potentially leading to new treatments for tissue repair and cancer research.

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.

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.

Cannabis use rises during Australian COVID lockdown, but less meth on the streets

A wastewater study conducted in Australia during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown found that cannabis use surged, while methamphetamine (ice) use plummeted. The research, led by the University of South Australia, analyzed wastewater samples from 20 treatment plants across the country and showed a significant increase in cannabis use nationwide.

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.

Novel nanoplatform to enhance therapeutic effect for cancer

Researchers have developed a novel nanoplatform to enhance therapeutic effects for cancer, using biomimetic cell membranes and pseudomonas geniculate cells as the natural source. The platform shows minimal cytotoxicity and facilitates efficient drug internalization, while accelerating reactive oxygen species generation in cancerous cells.

Mutated enzyme weakens connection between brain cells that help control movement

Researchers found a mutation in ELOVL4 enzyme impairs communication between neurons, leading to impaired motor control and coordination. The study provides new insights into the essential role of ELOVL4 in motor function and synaptic plasticity, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for patients with spinocerebellar ataxia.

Fast changes between the solar seasons resolved by new sun clock

Researchers created a new sun clock to study the solar seasons. The study reveals that the switch from solar maximum to declining phase is fast, occurring within a few solar rotations. This discovery helps predict space weather events, such as violent activity on our Sun leading to extreme events on Earth.

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.

New simulation shows how galaxies feed their supermassive black holes

A new simulation developed at Northwestern University reveals the role of galaxy spiral arms in feeding supermassive black holes with gas. The study uses high-powered computing to model gas flow across vast distances and provides insight into quasars, which are incredibly luminous fast-growing black holes.