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Science News Archive August 2021


Page 31 of 38

Battery boost found by mimicking the wonders of bamboo

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology developed a bioinspired membrane that mimics the structure of bamboo's natural membrane, enabling faster ion transport and improved volumetric energy storage. The membrane outperformed other materials commonly used for electrodes in batteries.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Family values outweigh politics in US Latinos’ climate beliefs

A new study led by Adam Pearson and Jonathon Schuldt found that family values are a stronger predictor of climate opinions and policy support among US Latinos than political views. Familism, or cultural values representing commitment to the family, was the most important predictor, even more so than politics.

Link discovered between male infertility and self-eating

Researchers from Osaka University found a link between excessive autophagy and reduced sperm production, suggesting a potential mechanism for male infertility. The study suggests that Rubicon regulates autophagic degradation of GATA4, promoting Sertoli cell function.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Secrets to getting shortlisted for a job in the modern world

QUT researchers identified external recognition and professional development as crucial strategies for getting shortlisted. Applicants with earned professional recognition or awards were four times more likely to be shortlisted than those without such recognition.

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.

Need to change careers? This AI tool can help

Researchers developed an AI-powered tool to identify and recommend jobs based on underlying skill sets, increasing the chances of success in job transitions. The system can also respond to changes in job demand and provide precise skills needed to transition to a new occupation.

Fitness apps keep us moving

Flinders University researchers found that more than half of Australians reported a decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown, but fitness apps were used by over half of respondents. The study highlights the importance of social support, self-efficacy, and motivation in using physical activity apps to maintain engagement.

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.

Cytotoxic drugs can increase cancer cell resistance

Research has found that cancer cells develop resistance to platinum-based cytotoxic drugs by altering their communication with the surrounding extracellular matrix. This change allows the cancer cells to withstand the damage caused by the treatment and survive the chemotherapeutic attack.

Now how did that get up there?

Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.

Helping India’s smallholder farmers

A University of Delaware study found that diversifying nutritional strategies is key to improving diets for India's smallholder farmers. The researchers suggest individual-level and community-level approaches, such as growing diverse crops or sharing produce at local markets.

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.

Counting pandemic behavior to inform public health decisions

Researchers developed a new method to analyze video segments from live streams and estimate the prevalence of mask wearing. The protocol was successfully learned in under an hour and found reliable estimates of mask-compliance, with the potential to provide useful results for decision-makers within 48 hours.

The science is in: Craft beer is unique

Research using mass spectrometry proteomics identified distinct proteins in craft beers compared to mass-produced brews. The study found that single-brewery analysis revealed significant differences between beer styles, suggesting the use of unique yeast strains or brewing processes.

An action agenda for Africa’s electricity sector

The article outlines five complementary actions to increase electrification rates and secure long-term access to affordable energy in Africa. Key findings include the need for an independent champion to transform the sector, international partnerships, and investment in clean energy.

Food or sex? Fruit flies give insight into decision-making

A new study by University of Birmingham researchers reveals that fruit flies' brains trigger specific neuronal impulses when faced with the choice between feeding and mating. The team found that, when starved, mating is consistently overridden by hunger, but once fed, males turn their attention to courtship.

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.

New mothers’ sleep loss linked to accelerated aging

A new study by UCLA researchers found that women who slept less than seven hours a night during the first six months after giving birth had shorter telomeres and were three to seven years older biologically. The study suggests that sleep loss can have long-lasting effects on physical health, increasing the risk of age-related diseases.

Novel Alzheimer’s disease amyloid β polymorph now revealed!

Researchers have successfully characterized a new form of toxic Aβ42 fibrils in Alzheimer's disease using sensitivity-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The study paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting these aggregates that drive AD progression.

No signs of brain injury post-acute COVID-19

A recent study from University of Gothenburg found that all participants achieved normalization of CNS injury biomarkers, regardless of previous disease severity or persistent neurological symptoms. This suggests that post-COVID-19 neurological sequelae are not due to active brain injury, contradicting previous findings.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Researchers propose carbon debt system to combat global warming

A team of researchers proposes a carbon debt system to encourage enterprises to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The approach aims to provide immediate economic incentives for businesses to transition to negative carbon balance by treating carbon emissions as financial debt.

The future of medicine is nearer thanks to researchers’ invention

A new process for making RNA has been developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, yielding purer and more abundant RNA at a fraction of the cost. This breakthrough removes the largest stumbling block on the path to next-generation RNA therapeutic drugs.

Scientists reverse a key hallmark of motor neurone disease in the laboratory

Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute successfully reversed a key hallmark of motor neurone disease by blocking the activity of an enzyme called VCP. This breakthrough, published in Brain Communications, suggests that the abnormal accumulation of proteins involved in RNA regulation might be a factor contributing to the disease.

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.

Sticky toes unlock life in the trees

Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.

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.

Far out: Why political parties go to extremes

A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.

Solving solar puzzle could help save Earth from planet-wide blackouts

Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery about the Sun's internal magnetic field, which could help predict space weather and prevent devastating geomagnetic storms. The new study provides a strong theoretical framework to improve understanding of the Sun's electromagnetic behavior.

Heat-related symptoms affected one-quarter of Americans during summer of 2020

A new study found that one-quarter of Americans suffered from heat-related symptoms in 2020, with women, low-income households, and non-white populations most vulnerable. The research also revealed that the pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, making it harder for people to access cooling centers and medical care.

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.

Data scientists go to the mat to learn about microbial networks

Researchers at Rice University are developing novel computational approaches to track environmental microbiome dynamics over time, across species and after perturbations. The team will use biofilm-based 'species abundance networks' on scaffolds to observe how they form their own genome-exchange networks.

How squirrels learn to leap and land without falling

Wild squirrels learn to leap and land without falling by weighing branch bendiness against distance between branches. They use trial-and-error learning to adjust their movements in split-second timing, enabling agile navigation through tree canopies.

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.

When provided personalized health resources, patients often share with others

Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.

New study sheds light on the mysterious dimming of Betelgeuse

A new study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the nature of Betelgeuse's mysterious dimming, which was observed from October 2019 to March 2020. The research team found that a temperature drop of 170 K could explain the dimming, suggesting the presence of a large dark star-spot on Betelgeuse's surface.

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.

Astonishing diversity: Semiconductor nanoparticles form numerous structures

Researchers have observed the self-organisation of lead sulphide nanoparticles in real time, revealing a surprising diversity of structures. The team used X-ray scattering to study how the particles assembled into ordered superlattices, finding that the final structure depends on factors such as solvent type and ligand density.

Heart Age Test a ‘wake up call’ for those at risk

A new study by Staffordshire University found that users of the Heart Age Test (HAT) were more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. The test aims to provide early warning signs of cardiovascular disease, encouraging users to reduce their heart age through diet and exercise.

Brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware presented​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware by co-integrating single transistor neurons and synapses. This innovation dramatically reduces hardware cost and accelerates the commercialization of neuromorphic hardware, enabling its application in mobile and IoT devices.

Slow slips offer insights into earthquakes

Slow slips, or silent earthquakes, are fractures of the Earth's crust that propagate slowly without producing seismic waves. The new database sheds light on the mechanisms behind these events and their potential to trigger regular earthquakes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ovarian cancer: Potential therapeutic target identified

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified DOT1L as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Inhibitors of the DOT1L enzyme showed promise in reducing tumor growth and improving survival rates by stimulating pro-tumorigenic metabolic pathways and blocking apoptosis.

The secret history of corn is revealed in its genome

A new collection of corn genomes provides a detailed understanding of the genetic diversity and adaptability of corn plants. Researchers have mapped the first corn genome in 2009 and filled in gaps since, revealing how the corn genome was shuffled over time.

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.

Robotic scanner automates diagnostic imaging in the eye

Researchers at Duke University developed a robotic imaging tool that can automatically detect and scan patients' eyes for eye diseases, producing clear images in under 50 seconds. The system uses optical coherence tomography and is designed to be safe and accessible for optometrist offices, primary-care clinics, and emergency departments.