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Science News Archive February 2021


Page 1 of 45

Pumping perovskites into a semiconductor platform

Materials scientists have created a method to incorporate diverse perovskite materials into silicon-based semiconductor platforms using microfluidic pumping technology. This innovation enables the creation of complex optoelectronic devices on a single chip, offering potential applications in fields like lab-on-a-chip technology.

The gut microbiome can predict changes in glucose regulation

A study found that the gut microbiome can predict changes in glucose regulation, particularly related to insulin levels and secretion. The study suggests that certain microbes may be useful for predicting disease progression and informs future research.

To sustain a thriving café culture, we must ditch the disposable cup.

A recent study from the University of South Australia highlights the need for a shift away from disposable coffee cups due to their significant impact on landfill waste. The research emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, and infrastructure development to drive sustainable change.

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.

Sensing suns

Red supergiants are extremely bright but difficult to study due to their complex upper atmospheres. Astronomers have now developed a new technique to estimate their surface temperatures using iron absorption lines. By combining these temperatures with accurate distance measurements, researchers found consistent results with theory.

When foams collapse (and when they don't)

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University used high-speed video microscopy to observe individual foam collapse events. They found that cracks in films lead to a receding liquid front, sweeping up the original film border and releasing droplets that break other films.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Climate change threatens European forests

More than half of Europe's forests are at risk from climate-driven disturbances, with large trees and old trees particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and insect infestations. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events, posing significant threats to European forest ecosystems.

Investigating dense plasmas with positron waves

A new study assesses the dynamics of positron acoustic waves in electron-positron-ion plasmas under magnetic fields, finding compressive and rarefactive solitary waves. The team's results provide insight into magnetoplasma behavior in astrophysical contexts, such as solar winds and auroral acceleration regions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cerium sidelines silver to make drug precursor

Rice University chemists have developed a novel process for synthesizing fluoroketones, precursors for drug design and manufacture. The new method uses a cerium-based catalyst, which produces functional precursors under mild conditions in about 30 minutes.

Retroviruses are re-writing the koala genome and causing cancer

Researchers discovered that retroviruses in koala genomes contribute to elevated cancer rates, with infected cells containing multiple copies of the virus. The study highlights the detrimental health consequences of germline infection by retroviruses and underscores the need for conservation efforts.

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.

Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should exist

Researchers from Rice University and international collaborations discovered a nonmagnetic quantum material exhibiting the Hall effect without an applied magnetic field. The effect is more than 1,000 times larger than expected, revealing the role of topology in strong correlations and potential applications for quantum computation.

AIBS recognizes Science Policy Leadership

Shyla Cooks and Karl Palmquist have been selected as the 2021 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award recipients. They demonstrate an interest and aptitude for working at the intersection of science and policy, with a focus on education and environmental issues.

Warming may promote spread of invasive blue catfish

A study suggests that continued warming of Atlantic coastal waters may enhance the spread of invasive blue catfish within the Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries along the U.S. East Coast. Warmer waters favor the spread and establishment of blue cats, which can out-compete native species.

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.

Meteorites remember conditions of stellar explosions

A team of researchers used radioactivity in meteorites to study the cosmic origin of heaviest elements, shedding light on violent stellar explosions. The study found that specific astronomical events, such as neutron star collisions, likely created these heavy elements.

Vitamin B6 may help keep COVID-19's cytokine storms at bay

Research suggests vitamin B6 may lower the odds of patients becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 by suppressing inflammation. Vitamin B6 has anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammation properties, which could help reduce cytokine storms and blood clots linked to the virus.

SARS-CoV-2 mutations in competition

Researchers demonstrated the D614G mutation's increased binding to human cells and replication speed, confirming its dominance over the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study used hamsters and ferrets as models to evaluate transmission dynamics in direct competition between variants.

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.

Finding their comfort zone

Researchers discovered artificial microswimmers slow down and accumulate in low-fuel regions where their speed is minimized. This finding suggests a new strategy to improve targeted cancer therapy by delivering chemotherapy drugs to the most problematic cells.

Sensing robot healthcare helpers being developed at SFU

Researchers at Simon Fraser University are developing robots that can measure essential healthcare information, such as physiological signals and oxygen levels. The robots aim to support remote healthcare tasks and may potentially interact with patients, process data, and prescribe medication in the future.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Pesticide imidacloprid threatens future for key pollinator

A University of Guelph study found female hoary squash bees exposed to imidacloprid dug 85% fewer nests and collected less pollen. The pesticide significantly reduces offspring production, threatening the future of these vital pollinators.

Cancer: a new killer lymphocyte enters the ring

Researchers at SCCL have found that CD4 T lymphocytes, which typically support immune responses, can also kill cancer cells directly. Up to a third of these cells were able to destroy tumor cells within five hours.

Changing the silkworm's diet to spin stronger silk

Tohoku University researchers created stronger silk by mixing cellulose nanofiber into the silkworms' diet, resulting in a 2.0 times increase in strength compared to non-CNF fed silkworms. This innovative approach uses environmentally friendly materials and shows promise for producing sustainable biomaterials.

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.

Picture books can boost physical activity for youth with autism

A University of Missouri researcher created fitness picture books to increase physical activity in youth with autism, providing a cost-efficient solution for low-income families. The study found that the picture books successfully increased exercise time and encouraged caregivers to provide organized structure during flexible free time.

From microsaws to nanodrills: laser pulses act as subtle machining tools

Using spatially structured ultrashort laser pulses, materials can be modified with diverse effects, from marginal refractive index changes to destructive microscale explosions. This technology allows true micron-scale material processing due to extremely short exposure times and low thermal diffusion.

Light-emitting tattoo engineered for the first time

Researchers have developed a temporary tattoo using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that can emit green light. The technology has the potential to be combined with other electronics for various applications, including fashion, sports, and healthcare, such as detecting dehydration or signaling expiry dates.

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.

The key to proper muscle growth

Researchers discovered that oscillation in muscle tissue is critical for transforming stem cells into muscle cells. The Delta-like1 protein plays a key role in this process, regulating the balance between self-renewal and differentiation.

How photoblueing disturbs microscopy

Researchers discovered that photobleaching can transform fluorescent dyes into new molecules with altered fluorescence spectra, affecting microscopy results. Simple buffer additions can prevent or even exploit this effect for targeted tracking of specific particles.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Using artificial intelligence to hunt for breast cancer

The E-Morph test uses artificial intelligence to identify substances that can have oestrogen-like effects on breast cells. This method has the potential to replace animal experiments currently required for detecting hormone-like effects.

Dinosaur species: 'Everyone's unique'

The study reveals that Plateosaurus trossingensis had a unique combination of features, with differences in characteristics attributed to natural variation between individuals and bone deformation during fossilization. The researchers found that there is no evidence for multiple species within the same genus.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

New catalyst makes styrene manufacturing cheaper, greener

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new catalyst that significantly increases styrene manufacturing yield, reducing energy use by 82% and carbon dioxide emissions by 79%. The catalyst achieves a single-pass yield of 91%, outperforming conventional technologies.

Deep brain stimulation and exercise restore movement in ataxia

A combination of deep brain stimulation and exercise has potential benefits for treating ataxia by rescuing limb coordination and stepping. The study reports that stimulating mice with early-stage ataxia showed the most dramatic improvements, suggesting that early treatment may provide the biggest benefit for patients.

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.

Engineering the boundary between 2D and 3D materials

An international team has developed a way to image the interface between 2D and 3D materials, revealing details of atomic configurations and orientations. This breakthrough enables control over the electronic properties of atomically thin materials.