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Science News Archive December 2021


Page 1 of 33

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Changes in calorie content of menu items after calorie labels mandate

Researchers evaluated changes in calorie content at 59 large restaurant chains before and after implementing mandatory menu labels. After label implementation, restaurants reduced average calorie per item by 11%. The study aimed to understand the impact of labeling on menu nutrition.

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.

Possible chemical leftovers from early Earth sit near the core

New research suggests that ultra-low velocity zones in the deep mantle may be regions made of different rocks than the rest of the mantle, with compositions potentially linked to the early Earth. The study's findings imply the presence of layered structures within these zones, shedding light on their origin and evolution.

Reasons for missing medical care during pandemic

A survey study investigated the prevalence of missing medical care among Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that the gap in healthcare access has persisted and worsened over time, highlighting ongoing concerns about social determinants of health.

‘Cryobioprinting’ serves up towers of frozen cells

Researchers have developed a technique called cryobioprinting that combines bioprinting with cryopreservation to create frozen, complex structures. The technology allows for the fabrication of anisotropic tissues with microscale pores aligned in specific directions, opening up new possibilities for muscular tissue engineering and beyond.

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.

Leveraging space to advance stem cell science and medicine

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have identified opportunities to use microgravity in space for large-scale stem cell production, disease modeling, and biofabrication. This could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and the development of new treatments.

Charité experts support Colombian SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic efforts

Experts from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin will deliver SARS-CoV-2 tests and train laboratory staff to monitor the Mu variant, which has spread widely throughout Colombia. The team will also support local authorities with antibody testing and knowledge transfer to inform pandemic control decisions.

High-resolution lab experiments show how cells ‘eat’

A new study published in Developmental Cell reveals the mechanism of membrane curvature that allows cells to form pockets to capture substances. The researchers used high-resolution fluorescence imaging to watch these pockets form within live cells, providing a clearer understanding of how cells 'eat' and consume substances.

The tallest Begonia species in all Asia found in Tibet, China

The newly discovered Begonia giganticaulis, a type of plant genus Begonia, has been found to be the tallest species in Asia, reaching heights of up to 3.6 meters. Its conservation status is currently listed as Endangered due to its fragmentary distribution in southern Tibet.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Cancer deaths rose to 10 million worldwide in 2019

The study found that cancer was the second leading cause of death globally in 2019, accounting for 10 million deaths and 23 million new cases. Despite increases in absolute burden, global age-standardized mortality and incidence rates decreased by 5.9% and 1.1%, respectively.

Russian scientists named biomarkers of a long-lasting PTSD

Researchers at South Ural State University have identified biomarkers for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans with long-lasting symptoms. Gamma-aminobutyric acid levels were found to be the most sensitive indicator, differing from reference values even years after traumatic events.

Head impacts, cognitive, behavioral outcomes in youth tackle football

A study of 70 youth tackle football players aged 9-12 over four seasons found a significant association between head impacts and cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The research suggests that repeated head impacts in youth tackle football may lead to long-term consequences for young athletes.

Association of gestational weight gain with infant illness, death

A large US-based study found that optimal gestational weight gain ranges associated with lower infant illness and death risks exist for different maternal weight categories. The study used birth data to identify these ranges and provide insights into the relationship between maternal weight gain and infant health outcomes.

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.

Comparing response to radiation therapy for prostate cancer in Black, White men

The study combined seven randomized clinical trials with 8,000 patients to compare overall and treatment-specific outcomes of Black and white men with localized prostate cancer who received radiation therapy. The results showed that there were significant racial disparities in response to radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Safer carbon capture and storage

Researchers from the University of Oxford investigated the behavior of CO2 within a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir in Louisiana, USA. They found that up to 74% of CO2 was dissolved in groundwater, while microbial methanogenesis converted 13-19% of the injected CO2 to methane.

COVID-19 can trigger self-attacking antibodies

Researchers found that people infected with COVID-19 develop a wide variety of autoantibodies up to six months after recovery, and these autoantibodies persist over time. The study suggests that understanding these autoantibody responses could help identify ways to treat and prevent long-term symptoms.

Easy-to-take medicine better at suppressing HIV in children

A global trial led by UCL found that a dolutegravir-based regimen reduced treatment failure among young people aged three to 18 by around 40% compared to standard treatments. The study also showed better growth and lipid profiles in children receiving dolutegravir, making it an effective option for treating HIV in children.

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.

Association of weight loss surgery with severity of COVID-19

A study of nearly 12,000 obese patients found that substantial weight loss achieved through weight loss surgery was associated with improved outcomes after contracting COVID-19, including lower risk of severe disease. The results suggest that weight loss surgery may help mitigate the severity of COVID-19 in individuals with obesity.

Healthy diet in early pregnancy reduces risk of gestational diabetes

A study conducted at the University of Turku found that following a healthy diet in early pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The research revealed that a diet high in saturated fats and low in essential nutrients increases inflammation and raises the risk of gestational diabetes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Immune system can detect disease during pregnancy

Researchers have discovered a pattern of immune activity in normal pregnancies that can detect abnormalities and predict complications. The study found elevated immune activation in the first three months, followed by a calmer phase, and higher activity in the last three months, especially when childbirth is imminent.

Scientists find ways to help perovskite solar cell "self-healing"

Researchers have successfully developed a type of self-healing perovskite solar cell by functional combination of PVP, which controls crystal growth and endows devices with self-healing ability in a moisture environment. The introduction of PVP also improves crystal growth with fewer defects and larger grains.

Microglial methylation “landscape” in human brain

A new study reveals distinct DNA methylation profiles of human microglia cells across different age groups, disease states, and brain regions. The researchers found that interindividual differences in methylation variability had a larger impact than regional or diagnostic differences.

Association of e-cigarette use with quitting smoking

Researchers found that e-cigarette use is associated with higher rates of smoking cessation among smokers who were initially not planning to quit. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be a viable tool for helping smokers quit tobacco products.

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.

Autism can be identified as early as the first year of life

Researchers found that infants with autism symptoms can show significant improvement in just a few months through targeted therapeutic interventions. The studies suggest that bridging the gap between early detection and intervention may significantly reduce the severity of lifelong developmental deviation.

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.

New inoculation method can protect soybeans against devastating leaf blight

A new inoculation method can identify resistance against one of the CLB pathogens, allowing breeders to select candidates for genetic material against the disease. This method uses detached leaflets for inoculation and offers an advantage in small experimental designs, enabling screening of soybean genetic materials.

Screen use, mental health symptoms in children during pandemic

A recent study by Xuedi Li and colleagues found that excessive screen time was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research suggests that parents should monitor their child's screen use to mitigate potential mental health effects.

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.

HSE biologists prepare strategy for universal COVID test

Researchers have created a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test using isothermal amplification, making it possible to detect any COVID-19 variants. The new system combines existing LAMP technology with novel coronavirus genome markers, allowing for quick detection without specialized equipment.

Nits on ancient mummies shed light on South American ancestry

Scientists have developed a new technique to extract DNA from the 'cement' head lice that attached eggs to hairs of ancient humans. This method reveals clues about pre-Columbian human migration patterns in South America, allowing for the study of unique samples from mummified remains where bone and tooth samples are unavailable.

Study shows how ovarian cancer starts in high-risk women

Researchers have discovered that ovarian cancer begins with cancerous lesions in the fallopian tube linings of women with BRCA-1 mutations. The study's findings hold promise for predicting which women will develop ovarian cancer years or decades in advance, allowing for early detection and prevention strategies.

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.

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.