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Science News Archive December 2021


Page 27 of 33

Exploring the effectiveness of telehealth in opioid use disorder

A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores the effectiveness of telehealth in treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in low-barrier clinic settings. The research highlights how telehealth can facilitate treatment for many patients, but also notes digital divide limitations and clinician comfort issues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sodium-based material yields stable alternative to lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new sodium-based battery material that overcomes the dendrite problem in earlier sodium batteries. The new material recharges as quickly as a traditional lithium-ion battery and has a higher energy capacity than existing sodium-ion batteries.

Targeted nanomedicine reduces vascular lesions, could help prevent stenosis

A new targeted nanomedicine treatment developed at the University of Chicago has shown promise in reducing vascular lesions caused by atherosclerosis. The treatment delivers medicine directly to inflamed cells, targeting the site of inflammation and inhibiting stenosis, the remodeling of vascular tissue that causes it to close off.

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.

X-ray laser reveals how radiation damage arises

A team of researchers used the X-ray laser European XFEL to study the detailed dynamics of how water molecules break apart when exposed to high-energy radiation. The study reveals that the disintegration process is more complicated than expected, with the oxygen atom not being flung away hard when the molecule breaks up.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Pandemic stress affects black adults more than their white peers

A recent study found that Black adults experience more pronounced mental health challenges than white adults in response to COVID-19 pandemic stresses. Younger Black adults are particularly vulnerable, with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to their older counterparts.

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.

Common arctic finches are all the same species

Researchers found that three recognized Redpoll species are genetically identical, differing only by a 'supergene' controlling plumage color and morphology. This finding builds on previous research suggesting this might be the case, using greater genetic technological capability to examine the full genome of the birds.

Migratory birds have lighter-colored feathers

Researchers found that migratory bird species tend to be lighter colored than non-migratory species, reducing the risk of overheating during extreme journeys. The study's findings suggest that lighter plumage coloration helps birds absorb less heat and stay cooler in the hot sun.

Self-administered cognition test predicts early signs of dementia sooner

A new study developed by researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that a simple, self-administered test can identify early signs of dementia sooner than the most commonly used office-based standard cognitive test. The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) accurately identified patients with mil...

Teaching an old chemical new tricks

Researchers have paired Barton's base, a 1980s catalyst, with click chemistry to accelerate complex molecule generation in biomedical research and drug development. The new ASCC method skips intermediate steps, reducing waste and enhancing 'green credentials',

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.

Big gaps in quest to sequence genomes of all animals

Despite making progress, genome sequencing of 1.66 million animal species remains incomplete, with vertebrates accounting for 54% of current sequences. Invertebrates, including insects and spiders, comprise only 34% despite representing 78.5% of all species.

Visualizing cell structures in three dimensions in mere minutes

Heidelberg researchers have created a rapid process for 3D imaging of cells using soft X-ray tomography, enabling high-resolution images in just five to ten minutes. This technology provides valuable insights into viral diseases and their impact on infected cells.

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.

Liquid crystals for fast switching devices

Researchers have created a new liquid crystal compound with ultra-short helix pitch and spiral ordering, making it ideal for fast-switching devices. The material's thermally and chemically stable structure allows for easy customization of pitch lengths.

Researchers examine neurotoxin from a black widow

Scientists have uncovered the structure of a Black Widow neurotoxin using cryo-electron microscopy, which could lead to the development of an antidote and new pesticides. The findings are a major breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanism of the toxin.

A novel protein therapy for efficient skin wound healing

Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have discovered a novel protein therapy using Agrin to promote wound healing and repair. The study found that timely induction or exogenous supplementation of Agrin accelerates the healing process, preserving the mechanical architecture of injured skin layers.

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.

How daily stress during COVID-19 affected parents’ discipline

A study of 323 parents found that daily stress levels, especially in the afternoon and evening, led to increased use of corporal punishment and psychological aggression. The researchers suggest that parents' stress levels in the moment may play a greater role in their discipline practices than overall stress levels.

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.

Burrowing critters increase risk of levee failure

A new study estimates that burrowing animals like badgers and porcupines can weaken levees to the point of collapse, causing localized flooding. Dens at higher elevations in a levee are more dangerous than those near the bottom, with potential for catastrophic failure.

Strong professional development networks benefit autistic students

Researchers from Drexel University's Autism Institute found that professional development providers with larger, more supportive networks perform better as coaches for teachers of autistic students. They also discovered that coaching support is more important than financial support for performance outcomes.

New type of earthquake discovered

Researchers have documented a new type of slow earthquake in British Columbia, Canada, triggered by hydraulic fracturing. The events exhibit unique features suggesting they rupture more slowly than conventional earthquakes, challenging the current understanding of induced 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.

Powerful new tool makes coral reef monitoring faster, easier, cheaper

Researchers have developed a powerful new tool that can determine the diversity of hard corals on a reef by analyzing DNA in seawater samples. This method is faster, easier, and less expensive than traditional visual identification, allowing for more accurate coral reef conservation and restoration.

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.

New marker for better assessing the severity of Covid-19

Researchers at LMU have found a new marker in the blood of Covid-19 patients that correlates with disease severity. Phosphatidylserine levels can potentially trigger inflammatory processes and coagulation disorders, enabling better diagnostics and predicting severe cases.

Spaceflight wreaks havoc on liver metabolism

A study found that spaceflight alters liver gene expression and reduces antioxidant capacity in mice, leading to increased oxidative stress. However, exposure to artificial gravity can mitigate some of these effects, suggesting potential for dietary supplementation to offset changes during spaceflight.

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.

Terrain, weather can predict wild pig movements

Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.

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.

Acclaimed nutritionist receives top honor

Katherine Tucker, a renowned nutritionist, has been awarded the top honor at UMass Lowell for her exceptional teaching, research, and service to the university. She will deliver the annual Distinguished University Professor Lecture and continue to lead her research team in establishing long-term interventions for diverse populations.

1 in 10 cardiology trainee doctors in UK say they have been bullied

A survey of UK cardiology trainees reveals that bullying is a pervasive problem, with 1 in 10 reporting being subjected to abusive behavior. Women and those who qualified outside the UK are disproportionately affected, highlighting a need for targeted measures to address workplace bullying in medicine.

Scientists find first in human evidence of how memories form

Researchers have identified 103 memory-sensitive neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, which increase their activity when memory encoding is successful. These findings may lead to new deep brain-stimulation therapies for brain diseases and injuries.

Red Sea bioregions show changing blooms

Researchers analyzed satellite data over two decades to understand how climate change impacts Red Sea marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton blooms show unique annual cycles, with four specific bioregions in the region experiencing different seasonal patterns.

“Disappointing” results reveal potential neural repair approach ineffective

A team of researchers at Fudan University has found that the protein NeuroD1 does not induce microglia-to-neuron conversion as previously thought. Instead, it causes microglial cell death. The study suggests that this finding may be due to experimental artifacts and highlights the need for stringent evidence in scientific research.

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.