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Science News Archive December 2021


Page 12 of 33

Race-based equations may lead to under-treatment of lung disease in black patients

A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that using race-based equations to evaluate lung disease can lead to under-treatment of Black patients. The research, conducted by a team at the University of California - San Francisco, used data from SPIROMICS, a multi-center cohort of ev...

COVID-19 lowered expenses for orthopaedic surgery residency applicants

A new study found that COVID-19 lowered expenses for orthopaedic surgery residency applicants due to the elimination of in-person interviews and away rotations. The median total expenses decreased from $7,250 in 2020 to $2,250 in 2021, with significant savings seen in interview and away rotation costs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cardiovascular disease risk boosted by stress

A major international study found that stress is a key global risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with severe stress increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 22-30%. The study followed 118,706 individuals in 21 countries over ten years.

Prostate cancer medicine not a cure for COVID-19

A clinical study and register studies have failed to confirm previous findings that a medicine blocking testosterone could help against COVID-19. The researchers found no discernible signs of the drug having any beneficial effect on participants' health status.

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 major discovery in the animal kingdom

Researchers at Louisiana State University have identified 14 new endemic species of shrews on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, a significant milestone in understanding the island's extraordinary biodiversity. This discovery highlights the importance of taxonomy in understanding and preserving life.

As the mercury rises, the urban heat penalty grows, especially at night

Residents in eastern US cities experience up to 4.9 degrees Celsius increase in nighttime urban heat stress index, with extra 30 minutes of uncomfortable weather per degree C temperature increase. This effect is more pronounced in the southeastern US, where residents face up to five extra hours of uncomfortable weather during summer.

Neanderthals changed ecosystems 125,000 years ago

Researchers from Leiden University and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered that Neanderthals used fire to keep the landscape open, transforming their local environment. The study found evidence of hunter-gatherer activities dating back 2,000 years, challenging previous assumptions about human impact on ecosystems.

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.

Online menus should put healthy food first

A Flinders University study found that online menus placed with healthy food items at the top increase the likelihood of choosing them by 30-40%. The researchers investigated menu placement on both physical and digital menus to encourage healthier eating habits.

Cannabis may contain heavy metals and affect consumer health, study finds

A new study reveals that cannabis plants can absorb heavy metals from the soil, making them potentially toxic for consumers. The research proposes strategies for growers to avoid heavy metal uptake in their crops, including choosing farmland with low heavy metal content and selecting varieties not bred for phytoremediation.

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.

Spot the difference

A full-scale model of the mouse hippocampus uncovers a new mechanism for pattern separation, where inhibition separates patterns and reduces activity makes it easier to distinguish differences. The study challenges historical views on pattern separation and suggests focal inhibition as an essential factor.

Shifting conferences online cuts carbon footprint 94%

A new study by Cornell University found that moving professional conferences online reduces the global event industry's carbon footprint by 94%, and shifting to a hybrid model cuts it to 67%. The annual carbon footprint of the industry is comparable to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of the entire US.

Moral echo chambers on social media could boost radicalization, study finds

New research finds that social media echo chambers can create a strong bond and increase the likelihood of radicalization. In studies examining posts on Gab and Reddit's "Incels" community, researchers found that users who aligned with the group's morals were more likely to use hateful language toward outgroups.

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.

Humans reached remote North Atlantic islands centuries earlier than thought

Researchers have discovered evidence of human habitation in the Faroe Islands dating back to around 500 AD, with signs of domestic sheep arrival at this time. The findings, based on lake sediments and DNA analysis, provide conclusive proof that humans inhabited the islands before the Vikings, who are thought to have arrived around 850 AD.

The birth of stars

Researchers analyze water molecules around protostars to confirm the presence of UV radiation in low-mass star-forming regions. They find that HCN and CN molecules are good indicators of UV radiation, with HCN being more sensitive to photodamage.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

E-cigs with cigarette-like nicotine delivery may help smokers quit

A new study by Penn State College of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that e-cigarettes with cigarette-like nicotine delivery may help some people stop smoking cigarettes. Participants who received a device with 36mg/mL nicotine showed significantly higher quit rates and increased days without smoking com...

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.

New device advances commercial viability of solar fuels

A new device has been developed that converts sunlight into two promising sources of renewable fuels – ethylene and hydrogen. The researchers found that by optimizing the working conditions for cuprous oxide, a promising artificial photosynthesis material, they can create a more stable system.

Mind-controlled robots now one step closer

Researchers have developed a computer program that can control a robot using electrical signals emitted by a patient's brain, allowing them to move the robot with their thoughts. The system uses an algorithm that can learn from the patient's brain activity and adjust the robot's movements accordingly.

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.

Climate change is intensifying extremes also in the oceans

Researchers found that climate change is causing a compound effect of extreme events in the oceans, including heatwaves, acidity, and low oxygen levels. This combination can be fatal to marine species, especially those already living at the upper end of their optimal temperature range.

Making anaesthesia more eco-friendly

Researchers at Pedro Hispano Hospital installed a gas capture system that collected and recycled waste anaesthetic gases, reducing potent greenhouse gas emissions. The system, based on the principle of circular economy, can be reused in future anaesthetics, significantly reducing emissions.

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.

Giving bug-like bots a boost

Researchers at MIT have developed a new fabrication technique that enables the creation of soft actuators with 75% lower voltage requirements and 80% more payload capacity than current versions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of flying microrobots with improved performance and payload capabilities.

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.

Benefits of cacao farms for birds and bats

Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.

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.

A smart system does better on VOCs recognition

Researchers developed a smart system to accurately identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and benzene, toluene, and xylene molecules in the air. The system uses thermal modulation to enhance recognition capabilities and offers a powerful route for exploring future advanced VOCs recognition electronics.

Prenatal exposure to phthalates damages reproductive tissue in female mice

A new study found that prenatal exposure to phthalates affects ovarian steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis in female mice offspring, leading to lower hormone levels and impaired fertility. The researchers discovered that phthalate mixtures can inhibit the expression of genes involved in hormone production.

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.

Cracking the mystery of nitrogen ice dynamics on Pluto

Researchers from CNRS and ENS de Lyon reveal the driver behind Pluto's Sputnik Planitia basin's flat polygons separated by narrow troughs, which is a sign of thermal convection within the icy mass. The process bears resemblance to ocean movements, not ice layer behavior on Jupiter and Saturn moons.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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