Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive December 2021


Page 33 of 33

Arecibo data still has astronomers in a spin

Using Arecibo's observations of nearby galaxies, researchers have found that the relationship between a galaxy's mass and rotation speed is not as straightforward as previously thought. The study provides a constraint for future researchers to develop theories on how galaxies evolve.

Coffee time: Caffeine improves reaction to moving targets

A study found that caffeine increases alertness and detection accuracy for moving targets, improving reaction times and visual processing. Researchers tested participants' dynamic visual acuity skills before and after caffeine ingestion, showing significant improvements in accuracy and speed.

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.

Stellar cocoon with organic molecules at the edge of our galaxy

Scientists from Niigata University, Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan detected a newborn star and its surrounding cocoon of complex organic molecules in the extreme outer Galaxy. The discovery reveals the hidden chemical complexity of our Universe.

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.

AI helps speeding up ecological surveys

A team of researchers has developed a deep-learning model that can count the number of seals in aerial photos considerably faster than manual identification, allowing for more efficient ecological surveys. The new approach eliminates the need for labeling individual animals and can be applied to various types of objects or animals.

Ivermectin could help save the endangered Australian sea lion

Researchers found that topical ivermectin treatment is highly effective against hookworm infection in Australian sea lion pups, with a success rate of 96.4 percent. Early treatment before disease development significantly improves overall survival rates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research takes aim at devastating citrus greening

A $7 million project aims to advance new therapies for citrus greening disease by employing technologies developed in the past. The team will work on two main types of treatment to overcome the challenges of reaching infected inner parts of trees and testing treatments in groves already infected with the disease-causing bacteria.

Thriving in non-equilibrium

Computational studies reveal new states of matter generated by pump-probe spectroscopy, with potential applications in superconductivity control. The work uses Frontera supercomputer to simulate quantum behavior with high precision, opening doors to novel phases and technologies.

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.

Deep learning dreams up new protein structures

A team of researchers, including those from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Washington, have developed a neural network that can predict protein shapes with high accuracy. The network was trained on random protein sequences and generated 2,000 new proteins, many of which were successfully produced in the lab.

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.

HIV: A new therapeutic target identified

Scientists have identified transcription factor RORC2 as a key player in HIV infection, allowing the virus to persist in immune cells. Inhibiting RORC2 using small molecules can limit viral expansion and prevent replication in healthy individuals and those with HIV.

The secret life of Tasmanian devils is hiding in their whiskers

Scientists have discovered that Tasmanian devils' whiskers can capture seasonal dietary changes over at least nine months and potentially up to a year. The long, wiry whiskers hold chemical imprints from food the devils ate in the past, offering a way to monitor the endangered native species with minimal disruptions to their habitats.

Machine learning helps mathematicians make new connections

Researchers used machine learning to identify patterns in knot theory and representation theory, suggesting new connections that mathematicians were able to prove. This collaboration demonstrates the potential of AI as a tool for guiding intuition in mathematical research.

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.

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.

Viral evolution in animals could reveal future of COVID-19

A recent study by Colorado State University researchers found that COVID-19 can evolve and spread rapidly among animal species after infection from humans. The team analyzed mutation types occurring in cats, dogs, ferrets, and hamsters, discovering a broad range of viral variants that emerged and became prevalent.

CT uncovers bone disease in Tyrannosaurus rex jaw

A study using CT-based imaging identified bone disease in a T. rex jaw, characterized by thickening and a mass with high fluorine content, supporting the diagnosis of tumefactive osteomyelitis. This non-invasive approach could revolutionize paleontology, allowing for the characterization of unique fossils without destruction.

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.

COVID-19 vaccine receipt by health care personnel

A study of over 12,000 health care workers at a major US academic hospital found that COVID-19 vaccine uptake was significantly high. Factors associated with vaccine receipt included prior healthcare exposure and perceived risk of severe illness.

Deep learning dreams up new protein structures

A team of scientists has created a neural network that can predict and generate new protein structures using deep learning. The network, trained on random protein sequences, can produce stable protein shapes with remarkable accuracy.

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.

Dolphins perform special spin dive when hunting deep prey

Risso's dolphins employ a rapid sprint coupled with a spin when hunting deep-sea prey, allowing them to reach great depths in a shorter time. This specialized dive strategy enables the dolphins to exploit the deep scattering layer, a dense aggregation of prey including squid.

African kids among those to miss medical appointments due to COVID

New research found that COVID-19 put significant pressure on Africa's health systems, leading to missed medical appointments and reduced services. Many African children missed child health checks and routine vaccinations, while HIV patients struggled with antiretroviral treatments.

How nitrate concentrations can be reduced in groundwater

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that adding organic carbon substances like ethanol and glucose can improve nitrate degradation in groundwater. Temperature played a significant role in selecting the most effective substance.

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.

Pandemic worriers shown to have impaired general cognitive abilities

A study by McGill University found that those who experienced more pandemic-related worry had reduced information processing speed and ability to retain information needed for tasks. Pandemic worry also predicted individuals' tendency to distort described risk levels, which may influence decisions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Breaking the chain that culminates in cancer

Scientists have identified a cascade of four proteins that activate the cancer-causing protein ∆Np63α. By inhibiting these proteins, cancer stem cells can be controlled, and tumor growth slowed. This breakthrough offers new therapeutic options for squamous cell carcinoma.

Intelligent transistor developed at TU Wien

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a novel germanium-based transistor with the ability to perform different logical tasks, offering improved adaptability and flexibility in chip design. This technology has potential applications in artificial intelligence, neural networks, and logic circuits that work with more than just 0 and 1.

How to fill a heart

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have developed a therapeutic agent to improve treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The new approach targets alternative splicing in cardiac disease, using antisense oligonucleotides to stabilize sensitive molecules and trigger desired response.

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.

How far is Fukushima nuclear accident contaminated water from us?

A team from Tsinghua University developed analysis models to simulate the diffusing process of radioactive water in oceans. The pollutants are expected to cover almost the entire Pacific Ocean within 3600 days, with a contamination center moving eastward along the 35°N latitude line.

Widespread vaginal condition could lead to emergency caesarean section

A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that an imbalance in vaginal bacteria is associated with a higher risk of emergency caesarean section. The study analyzed 1,396 samples from 736 pregnant women and discovered that those with greater levels of imbalance were more likely to deliver via C-section.

Study: How to freeze-dry a potential COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers at University at Buffalo successfully freeze-dried a liposome-based liquid vaccine formula, offering a thermostable solution for future COVID-19 vaccines. The freeze-dried product showed stability at elevated temperatures and induced effective antibody responses in mice.

Headwater refuges

A team studied wildfire impacts on streams in parts of the Los Padres National Forest, finding that stream headwaters serve as refuges for aquatic species during fires and droughts. The study's findings suggest that protecting these areas is crucial for maintaining watershed resilience and biodiversity.

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.

Eye imaging technology breaks through skin by crossing beams

Duke researchers developed a method to increase the depth of view of optical coherence tomography (OCT), allowing for clear images from beyond a millimeter beneath the skin's surface. The new technique, known as dual-axis OCT, tilts the light source and detector to collect more scattered light from deep tissues.