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Science News Archive December 2021


Page 26 of 33

Which factors determine whether a person decides to get vaccinated?

A survey of 9 European countries and the US found significant differences in vaccine skepticism, with Russia having the lowest percentage at 62% and the UK the highest at 93.9%. Factors such as media use, mental health, and government communication played a role in shaping attitudes towards vaccination.

Novel chemical design makes hard crystals stretchy

Researchers have designed porous, carbon-based crystals that can stretch to more than twice their length, making them suitable for nanofiltration and pollutant removal. By adding 'soft joints' into the crystal's scaffold, they can be disrupted by specific chemicals, causing the crystal to expand and contract rapidly.

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.

Smart transformable nanoparticles promise advances in tumor diagnoses, treatment

Researchers have developed smart transformable nanoparticles that can alter their size and shape in response to physiological conditions, improving particle circulation, biodistribution, and targeted therapy for cancer theranostics. These particles promise enhanced tumor diagnoses and treatment by adapting to the physiology of tumors.

In breast cancer, the best defense is a strong offense

Researchers discovered that pregnancy triggers the activation of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells to prevent breast cancer. After pregnancy, breast epithelial cells produce a specific protein called CD1d, which attracts NKT cells to monitor and eliminate potential cancer cells.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

SRC-2 is at the center of survival adaptations to food shortages

A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that SRC-2 is essential for coordinating biological responses to food scarcity, including modifying metabolism and behaviors to ensure survival. Additionally, SRC-2 is also involved in weight gain when food is abundant, leading to obesity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hybrid strategy captures a larger picture of wild mandrills

Researchers at Kyoto University used a hybrid strategy to study wild mandrill movement patterns, combining direct tracking with camera trap data. The findings show that mandrill groups change their travel speed during the day and exhibit flexible dietary and ranging behaviors influenced by seasonality.

Guidelines may promote over-diagnosis of cow’s milk allergy in infants

A University of Bristol-led study found that three-quarters of infants experience two or more symptoms associated with cow's milk allergy, yet the condition only affects one in 100. These symptoms are often common and normal in healthy infants, suggesting guidelines may unintentionally medicalize normal infant symptoms.

Unique look at the self-destruction of a star is presented in 3D

Researchers have captured a 1,000-year-old supernova in 3D images, revealing unprecedented details about the elements ejected during a star's explosion. The study provides a three-dimensional map of these elements, shedding light on the conditions at the time of the explosion and the importance of asymmetries in supernovae.

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.

Gas bubbles in rock pores – a nursery for life on Early Earth

Researchers at LMU and MPI-CBG demonstrate that gas bubbles within heated rock pores can facilitate the growth and division of membraneless coacervate microdroplets, potentially driving the evolution of life on Early Earth. The study suggests that these conditions could have led to the emergence of protocells, which are precursors to m...

UTAComNav program selected to assist veteran and military spouse businesses

The UTAComNav Program will provide veteran and military spouse businesses with entrepreneurship education, small business technical assistance, loan preparation, and access to capital. Ashten Simmons, a military spouse, will lead the program, aiming to reach underserved veteran entrepreneur communities and provide tailored support.

How do phytohormones regulate nitrate transport in apple?

Research found that ABA inhibits nitrate transport from roots to shoots in apple by reducing the transcription of MdNRT1.5. The transcription factor MdABI5 mediates this process. Overexpression of MdABI5 inhibited ABA-mediated nitrate transport.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Anthrax arms race helped Europeans evolve against disease

Humans developed natural genetic resistance to anthrax by having a diet of more ruminants and experiencing agricultural practices, leading to fewer anthrax receptors. European populations showed an even greater reduction in anthrax receptor expression compared to other human populations.

Urbanization improves out-group trust

Research conducted in rural and urban Chinese villages found that residents of Jincheng gave more tokens to strangers than those from Liangang, suggesting increased trust in out-group members. Effective governance was also linked to higher levels of out-group trust, contradicting concerns about urbanization eroding community bonds.

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.

NSF grant supports study of cells’ early decisions

Researchers will investigate how cells collect and interpret signals to make differentiation decisions, using live cell imaging and mathematical frameworks. The goal is to reveal the mechanisms behind cells' earliest decisions and improve stem cell fate prediction.

Research reveals serious threat to dairy industry and human life from parasite

A collaborative research study found Cryptosporidium prevalence to be 20-25% across Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, posing a serious threat to dairy cattle and human life. The parasite is concerning due to its ability to become infectious in chlorine, increasing the risk of infection through traditional methods.

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.

Face masks help jurors tell lies from truth

Researchers from University of Portsmouth and John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that face masks do not hamper a jury's decision making. Instead, they improve the ability to differentiate between truth and lies by reducing non-verbal behaviors.

Ferocious fungus

Scientists at the University of Utah studied the defense mechanism of Armillaria ostoyae, a parasitic fungus that infects and kills over 600 types of woody plants. They found that the fungus's outer layer has a strong protective role, containing calcium to protect itself from chemicals and insects.

Development of a transparent and flexible ultra-thin memory device

Researchers created a transparent and flexible ultra-thin memory device using zero-dimensional quantum dots sandwiched between hexagonal boron nitride structures. The device retains above 80% transparency and memory function even when bent, making it a promising next-generation memory candidate.

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.

Racial trends in prescription opioid use reflect disparities, undertreatment

A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found racial disparities in opioid prescribing, with Blacks and Hispanics less likely to be prescribed opioids in the late 1990s. By the mid 2000s, prescription opioid use among Blacks matched that of whites, despite the focus on white populations during the opioid crisis.

A new drug target for kidney disease

A new study led by Prof. Motoko Yanagita found that the suppression of two molecules, CD153 and CD30, expressed on immune cells mitigates the progression of kidney disease in aged kidneys. This discovery identifies a promising therapeutic target for kidney treatment in the elderly.

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.

Severe COVID could reduce male fertility

A recent study suggests that severe COVID-19 may cause long-term damage to the testes, leading to reduced sperm count and quality. The virus's interaction with testicular cells and potential effects on fertility are being explored through an experimental framework.

Miniature llama antibodies could help fight SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers have discovered miniature antibodies derived from llamas that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including Delta and Omicron. The nanobodies' small size allows them to access hard-to-reach spots on the virus, making them a potential treatment against future variants.

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.

Saving patients an unnecessary procedure

A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.

Discovering new drugs with Darwin

Chemists at UNIGE have developed a new method to rapidly generate millions of molecule combinations using DNA-pairing processes, finding the best match for target proteins within two weeks. This technique uses evolutionary forces to amplify the best combinations and generates diversity.

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.

Seeing and hearing: how they interplay in the brain

A recent study published in iScience found that congenitally blind individuals and normal sighted people are equally good at discriminating between sounds. However, those who lost sight later in life had more difficulties with tasks requiring detailed auditory processing, suggesting an adaptation to the new condition.

Stress makes life’s clock tick faster. Chilling out slows it down

A new study found that chronic stress accelerates biological age, as measured by an 'epigenetic clock.' However, individuals with stronger emotion regulation and self-control were more resilient to the negative effects of stress on aging. This suggests that managing psychological health can help extend a healthy lifespan.

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.

Recent cannabis use linked to extremes of nightly sleep duration

A study of US adults found a link between cannabis use and extremes of nightly sleep duration, with recent users more likely to report short or long sleep. Heavy users were 64% more likely to experience short sleep and 76% more likely to experience long sleep compared to non-users.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Differences among parents to vaccinate children against COVID-19

A survey of 1,100 parents found that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy differed by factors such as racial and ethnic background, education level, and previous experience with COVID-19. The study highlights the need for tailored vaccination strategies to address these disparities.