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Science News for August 6, 2021


A database of 3,000 lead isotope analyses in geological and archaeological samples from the Iberian Peninsula

A database of 3,000 lead isotope analyses has been compiled for the Iberian Peninsula, providing a comprehensive resource for geological and archaeological research. The IBERLID database includes standardized data on minerals, rocks, and metallic objects, facilitating comparison and analysis.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalOre Geology Reviews·TypeNews article·DateAug 6, 2021

New technology will allow important metals to be made more efficiently

University of Minnesota researchers have developed a cheaper, safer, and simpler technology to produce stubborn metals into thin films. This innovation enables better materials with atomic precision at lower temperatures, making it easier to scale up production.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 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.

Novel molecular imaging technique casts complex coordination molecules in a new light!

A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel imaging method using metal-atom tracers in HAADF-STEM to determine the conformational structures of complex polynuclear coordination compounds. The technique achieves accurate visualization of highly branched molecules, filling a gap in structural analysis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

An artificial ionic neuron for tomorrow's electronic memories

Researchers have created an artificial neuron that uses ions instead of electrons for information transmission, achieving a similar energy efficiency as the human brain. The device's ion channels and clusters replicate those found in neurons, allowing for the emission of action potentials and transmission of information.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateAug 6, 2021

Small fungus formulations could make big difference to protect moose from winter ticks

Researchers at the University of Vermont have developed granular formulations of insect-killing fungi that effectively killed up to 98% of winter tick larvae under laboratory conditions. The findings provide proof of concept for a safe and effective management strategy to protect moose from the devastating impact of winter ticks.

SourceMorris Animal Foundation·JournalBiocontrol Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

Report outlines how to improve healthcare access for sex workers

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago outline strategies to enhance healthcare access for sex workers, including holistic wellness exercises and destigmatizing healthcare practices. The study emphasizes the importance of provider training and responsiveness to patient needs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 6, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Do vitamin D supplements offer kidney-related benefits for individuals with high diabetes risk?

A recent clinical trial found that vitamin D supplementation had no significant effects on kidney outcomes in adults with pre-diabetes. However, among those not taking any vitamin D, the supplement was associated with a lower amount of urine protein over time, suggesting potential benefits for kidney health.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 6, 2021

New device can diagnose COVID-19 from saliva samples

A new tabletop diagnostic device can detect COVID-19 from saliva samples in about an hour, with accuracy comparable to PCR tests. The device uses CRISPR technology and can be programmed to detect specific variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 6, 2021

Partnering with clergy to prevent domestic violence

Researchers developed an online training program for Korean American clergy to support victims of domestic violence. The program, Religious Leaders for Healthy Families, uses interactive case simulations to build confidence and self-efficacy among faith leaders.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalHealth Promotion International·DateAug 6, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Mountain lions moved less, downsized territory during LA’s pandemic shutdown

During the pandemic, mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles occupied smaller territories and traveled shorter distances. This suggests that humans were a major deterrent to their movement, with even reduced traffic not enough to overcome the barrier effect of large roads like freeways.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalEcological Solutions and Evidence·DateAug 6, 2021

Physicians are likelier to test for a particular condition if recent patients they saw were diagnosed with the same thing

A study of 7,400 emergency department physicians found that those who recently saw patients with a pulmonary embolism were 15% more likely to test subsequent patients for the condition. The 'availability heuristic' may influence physicians' care decisions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 6, 2021
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.

A test that detects COVID-19 variants in your spit

The Minimally Instrumented SHERLOCK (miSHERLOCK) test uses CRISPR-based technology to detect multiple COVID-19 variants in saliva samples, providing faster and more accurate diagnoses. The low-cost device, costing $6 per assay, can be assembled using a 3D printer and provides results within one hour.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

Miller School researcher publishes breakthrough findings on nanoparticle delivery of HIV/AIDS medications to brain

A University of Miami researcher has discovered a polymer chain nanoparticle that can deliver antiretroviral drugs to the brain, reducing HIV/AIDS viral reservoirs. The breakthrough could improve the treatment of brain cancers and other diseases, particularly in HIV-positive individuals with neurological problems.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

Face masks protect against aerosolized toxins from algal blooms, study finds

A new study by University of Miami scientists found that low-cost face masks and AC filters are effective at filtering out toxic algae in the air. Face masks filtered out over 90% of toxin-containing particles, while AC filters with high filter performance ratings reduced airborne toxins by 20-90%.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalAerosol and Air Quality Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 6, 2021

Nitrogen inputs in the ancient ocean

Researchers have found that purple sulfur bacteria in a modern-day lake can fix nitrogen very efficiently, even at low molybdenum concentrations. This discovery provides the first indication that these bacteria may have played a significant role in nitrogen fixation in the Proterozoic ocean.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 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.

The 'phytoplankton factory' -- from nutrients to algae growth

A new model has been developed to study phytoplankton growth in the ocean, providing insights into the basis of the marine ecosystem. The model suggests that cumulative cellular costs determine how environmental conditions affect phytoplankton growth rates, with potential implications for predicting fish stocks and global climate change.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 6, 2021

Newly developed, bioinspired cell delivery vehicles

Researchers at the University of Münster have developed new, biocompatible nanocontainers made from biological materials that can deliver substances into cells. The containers use natural processes to enter cells and release their cargo, with a degradable shell that is broken down by enzymes in the cell's endosomes.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalAdvanced Science·DateAug 6, 2021

Scientists meld Twitter and satellite views to understand epic impact

Researchers from Michigan State University combine social media posts with satellite images to monitor the effects of large-scale infrastructure projects on the environment. By analyzing online discussions and satellite data, scientists can gain insights into how human activities affect ecosystems.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 6, 2021
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.

Mental health patients will answer when asked about firearms

A Kaiser Permanente study published in JAMA Health Forum found that 83% of primary care patients and 92% of mental health clinic patients answered the question about their access to firearms. The study suggests that asking about firearm access could support suicide prevention by creating opportunities to discuss safety planning, includ...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 6, 2021

Breast cancer screening during pandemic

A recent study evaluated the association between COVID-19 and breast cancer screening in a San Francisco safety-net hospital. The researchers found that during the pandemic, there was a significant decrease in breast cancer screening rates, which had implications for patient health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 6, 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.

Licensed drug could reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection by up to 70 per cent, reveals study

A licensed drug normally used to treat abnormal levels of fatty substances in the blood, fenofibrate, has been shown to significantly reduce SARS-COV-2 infection in human cells in laboratory settings. The reduction of infection was obtained using safe and achievable concentrations of the drug.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

Home Hospital increased in-patient capacity during the COVID-19 surge

A research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delivering acute care at home for non-COVID patients freed up substantial inpatient capacity during the COVID-19 surge. The Home Hospital program provided care for 65 acutely ill patients, amounting to 419 bed-days, over a 3-month period.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 6, 2021

Emergent magnetic monopoles controlled at room temperature

Researchers have developed a 3D artificial spin ice lattice that allows them to control emergent magnetic monopoles at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the study of these monopoles on more accessible platforms, paving the way for new generation of quantum computing and storage technologies.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateAug 6, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Recycling a cell’s energy centers to ward off Parkinson's disease

Scientists discovered a new mitochondrial recycling pathway that may help prevent Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that genes associated with Parkinson's disease play key roles in this process and that disruptions can contribute to neurodegeneration.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 6, 2021

Scientists create a new ultrafast, low-power machine learning algorithm for big data processing

Scientists at CiTIUS have developed a new fast support vector classifier (FSVC) that significantly improves data classification using Machine Learning techniques. The FSVC is much faster and operates with less memory than traditional approaches, making it suitable for large-scale classification problems.

SourceCiTIUS·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 6, 2021

Comparing DNA changes in blood stem cells and leukemia cells could help pick out children with high-risk AML

A new study published in Blood Cancer Discovery reveals that children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have more DNA changes in their blood stem cells are more likely to survive. The researchers hope that this finding can be used as a tool to identify high-risk patients and improve treatment outcomes.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021
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.

Groundwater resources off the coast of Malta

A team of scientists from GEOMAR and the University of Malta discovered a groundwater reservoir off the coast of Malta using innovative methods. The research found evidence of an isolated freshwater body in limestone formations three kilometers from the coast, which could represent a new source of drinking water for the islands.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 6, 2021

A technique to improve the performance of autonomous mobile robots proposed at LETI

The proposed scan matching algorithm reduces data processing time and improves robot performance by filtering out unnecessary data. The technique allows robots to redirect computational resources to other tasks, enabling faster processing and improved accuracy in applications such as SLAM and SfM.

SourceSaint Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI·JournalRobotics and Autonomous Systems·DateAug 6, 2021

How social norms influence consumer behavior

A recent meta-analysis of existing research on social norms reveals new generalizations about their impact on consumer behavior. The study found that descriptive forms of social norms are more effective than injunctive ones in promoting socially approved behaviors, such as mask wearing and eco-friendly practices. Effective communicatio...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 6, 2021

Potential COVID-19 medication found among tapeworm drugs

A modified salicylanilide compound has been re-engineered to fight both COVID-19's cytokine storm and viral replication, with the compound passing into the bloodstream without toxicity. The antiviral mechanism blocks the virus from getting out of the endosome, preventing new viral particles from being made.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 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.

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 remain stable, or even increase, seven months after infection

A study found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remained stable or increased in healthcare workers seven months after infection, indicating potential protection from pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA had lower susceptibility to COVID-19.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2021

Emergency department visits for assault during pandemic

Rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for assault increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Researchers attribute the rise to increased domestic violence due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 6, 2021

Brain surgery education, training ‘radically’ advances in U.S.

Cohesive national standards in US neurosurgery education improve patient care, driven by decades of work from leading institutions. The new structure includes 'boot camp' courses and rigorous accreditation standards.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 6, 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.

Scientists name new frog-legged beetle fossil for Sir David Attenborough

A new beetle species, Pulchritudo attenboroughi, was identified in a fossil from the Green River Formation in Colorado, with its unique beauty and preserved patterns making it an exceptional find. The beetle was named after Sir David Attenborough, who inspired its discoverers.

SourceDenver Museum of Nature & Science·JournalPapers in Palaeontology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 6, 2021

A microRNA network is the putative mediator of reductive stress in the heart

A study published in Scientific Reports describes the putative molecular regulators of reductive stress — a microRNA network. The researchers identified a subset of miRNAs that appeared to be direct and dose-dependent targets of Nrf2, and thus putative regulators of reductive stress.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2021

New drug combo shows early potential for treating pancreatic cancer

Researchers have developed an immunotherapy strategy that combines three drugs to boost the immune system against tumors. The new therapy showed promising results in mice, with pancreatic tumors shrinking or disappearing completely in about half of the animals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCancer Cell·DateAug 6, 2021

World’s first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in 100-GHz band using low-loss optical modulator and direct photonic down-conversion

Researchers developed the first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in the 100-GHz band using a low-loss broadband optical modulator with direct photonic down-conversion. The system successfully demonstrated high-speed transmission of over 70 Gbit/s over a wired and wireless converged system.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·DateAug 6, 2021
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.

To do or not to do: Cracking the code of motivation

Researchers manipulated dopamine receptors to understand benefit- and cost-based motivation, revealing complementary roles for D1R and D2R. The study sheds light on the neurobiological mechanism of decision-making and has implications for psychiatric disorders.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 6, 2021