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Science News Archive August 2021


Page 29 of 38

Study identifies molecule that stimulates muscle-building in humans

Researchers found that consuming dileucine enhances the metabolic processes driving muscle growth, resulting in a 42% increase in protein synthesis. In contrast, leucine alone showed no significant impact on protein breakdown, highlighting the molecule's potential as a signaling agent for muscle-building pathways.

New animations breathe life into complex scientific concepts

The new animations create a visual representation of cell respiration, showcasing the breakdown of glucose and release of energy. The animations were built using cutting-edge scientific discovery and research, including models from X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulation.

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.

Green hydrogen: Why do certain catalysts improve in operation?

Researchers discovered that certain catalyst materials, such as erythrite, improve in performance over time due to restructuring. This process increases the surface area of the material, allowing for more reactions to occur, resulting in higher oxygen yields and doubled electrical current generation.

Why nanoparticles could prove a game changer for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers have identified promising avenues for targeted nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy, specifically targeting the tumor microenvironment. By activating dendritic cells and macrophages, nanoparticles can relieve hypoxia and change the state of an immunosuppressive TME to immunosupportive.

Climate change ‘double whammy’ could kill off fish species

Warming oceans are causing fish to struggle with both survival and adaptation, leading to potential extinction. The research found that warmer waters reduce the size of fish, making it harder for them to relocate to more suitable environments, and also limit their ability to evolve and cope with changing temperatures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Exploring the limits of light–matter coupling at the nanoscale

Researchers have explored the limits of light-matter coupling at the nanoscale, discovering a fundamental physical limit to subwavelength confinement. The study reveals that as light is concentrated into smaller volumes, its interaction with matter changes in ways that cannot be predicted by classical theories.

'Cool' kids in the cosmos may not be so unique

Researchers at Rice University found that cool stars have dynamic surface behaviors influencing their magnetic environments and planetary habitability. This study suggests that small stars share similar properties with the sun, enabling predictions for exoplanet conditions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Spotting — and hearing — heart attacks before they strike

Researchers developed a new imaging technique that uses light and sound to detect plaques in arteries, potentially preventing strokes and heart attacks. The technique uses nanoparticles that absorb light and emit sound waves, allowing doctors to visualize the plaques in a non-invasive way.

New in Ethics & Human Research, July-August 2021

The article considers the ethical issues surrounding enrolling children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome, in clinical trials. Parents may face difficult decisions about whether to enroll their children due to concerns about potential loss of positive aspects of their condition.

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.

How Galápagos finches evade a parasitic fly

Researchers found medium tree finch nests with high parasite survival rates, while hybrid finches had lower rates. Nestling behaviour also predicted naris deformation due to vampire fly parasitism.

Inspired by barnacles, medical glue stops bleeding in seconds

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and MIT have developed a rapid-sealing paste that can stop bleeding from organs without clotting. The paste works like barnacles, exuding an oil matrix to clean the surface and repelling moisture, before applying a protein that cross-links with tissue molecules.

Undersea rocks yield earthquake clues

A University of Delaware study of ocean rocks has informed earthquake science by understanding the properties of underwater faults and their impact on seismic activity. Researchers have found that seawater infiltration in these faults weakens the rock, allowing it to flow faster and potentially reducing the risk of large earthquakes.

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.

Prisons and COVID-19

The study found COVID-19 incidence was significantly higher in Massachusetts prisons operating at a higher percentage of their capacity. In contrast, prisons with more single-cell housing had lower infection rates.

Crowding in prisons increases inmates’ risk for COVID-19 infections

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that crowding in prisons significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 infections among inmates. The study suggests that policy changes are necessary to protect this vulnerable population and notes that even a small increase in crowding can pose a significant threat.

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.

COVID-19 News from Annals of Internal Medicine

Rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and in-hospital deaths peaked in December 2020 among adults aged 65+, males, and Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black persons. Effective therapeutics use increased while invasive interventions waned, suggesting clinical practice evolved based on increasing knowledge.

How wildfire restored a Yosemite watershed

Decades of fire suppression have eliminated valuable wildlife habitat, but allowing lightning fires to burn has restored a resilient ecosystem with increased plant and pollinator biodiversity. This approach also limits the severity of wildfires and increases water availability during droughts.

Urgent global need for low-cost ventilators

A UK team developed a portable ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients in developing countries. The Field Ventilator can be used beyond COVID-19 to treat various respiratory diseases and patients needing respiratory support.

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.

What happens when bats are given three choices?

In a study published in Animal Behaviour, Claire Hemingway found that fruit-eating bats prefer two over one option, but are swayed by the third choice. This suggests that diet and environment play a significant role in shaping their decision-making processes.

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.

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.

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.

Why middle-class residents want to stay put after floodwaters recede

A new study from Rice University finds that middle-class people who made plans to stay in their neighborhoods before flooding are less likely to relocate even if they suffered significant damage. Long-term planning and social pressure played a key role in residents' decisions to stay or leave flooded homes.

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 to increase vaccination rates among Black people in Canada

A team of Black female clinicians and researchers propose an Afrocentric health-promotion approach to combat vaccine hesitancy among Black Canadians. The LEAPS framework encourages providers to respect patients' values, views, and concerns when offering vaccine recommendations.

NSF awards funding for next-generation VLA antenna development

The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) will be a key tool for answering important scientific questions in astrophysics, offering sensitivity and resolving power 10 times greater than the current VLA. Construction could begin by 2026 with early scientific observations starting in 2029.

Late decarbonizers face mounting economic risks

Countries lagging behind in renewable energy adoption risk lower industrial competitiveness and economic instability. Uneven transition patterns can exacerbate existing international tensions, making it difficult for late decarbonizers to catch up with early movers.

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.

Coping with COVID-19 through music

A global study found that people use music as a coping mechanism for emotional and social stress, with music listening helping to regulate depression and fear. Music making also provides a sense of community and self-reflection, while 'coronamusic' reveals the power of collective creative responses during times of crisis.

Growing evidence of vitamin K benefits for heart health

Researchers found that people who eat more vitamin K-rich foods have a lower risk of heart disease and peripheral artery disease. Vitamin K2 intake was also associated with reduced hospitalization rates for cardiovascular disease.

Neurons that respond to touch are less picky than expected

A new study from Northwestern University found that primary touch-sensitive neurons respond to multiple types of touch and varying degrees. Researchers developed a comprehensive technique to stimulate rats' whiskers in three dimensions while recording brain activity, revealing that these neurons communicate touch in a more complex manner.

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.

Study identifies link between sedative and PTSS in children

A four-year cohort study identified a significant link between midazolam exposure and elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms in children. Symptoms were found to be persistent for up to 12 months, highlighting the need for early intervention and psychosocial support.