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Science News Archive February 2021


Page 12 of 45

DARPA backs Rice sensor to detect COVID-19 virus in air

Researchers at Rice University have developed a real-time sensor system that can detect the airborne COVID-19 virus, with funding from DARPA. The system uses molecular imprinting and organic electrochemical transistors to rapidly transduce SARS-CoV-2 binding events into electronic signals.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New drug molecules hold promise for treating fatal child disease

Researchers at University of Exeter identified a way to rescue mutated muscle cells using novel drugs, providing a possible new treatment for rare childhood illness. The study found that compounds targeting mitochondrial energy production improved muscle function in animal models with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

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.

Effects of tipping points in oceans

Tipping points in ocean physics, chemistry, and biology may cause high-probability, high-impact effects cumulatively leading to global consequences. The study suggests treating these events as seriously as catastrophic ones for effective management.

Trauma admissions during COVID-19 pandemic in LA county

Trauma admissions in Los Angeles County surged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased emergency department visits and hospital capacity strain. Researchers analyzed data from 2020 to identify patterns and trends in trauma care during this period.

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.

COVID-19 infection in pregnancy not linked with still birth or baby death

A new study found no association between COVID-19 infection and stillbirth or early neonatal death in pregnant women. However, the research did reveal a higher risk of preterm birth among those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The study analyzed data from over 4000 pregnant women in the UK and US.

NYUAD researchers develop high throughput paper-based arrays of 3D tumor models

NYUAD researchers have developed a new technology that enables the creation of high throughput arrays of miniaturized 3D tumor models, which can be safely cryopreserved and stored for on-demand drug testing use. This technology has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by predicting the outcomes of drug efficacy.

Future ocean warming boosts tropical rainfall extremes

Climate models predict an increase in extreme ENSO-related swings in rainfall due to future ocean warming, but temperature difference between El Niño and La Niña may change little. Researchers found that increased rainfall sensitivity is key to understanding this phenomenon.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Patient page: Teen vaping

The article provides valuable insights into identifying signs of teen vaping, ways to prevent it, and strategies for supporting addicted teens. Parents can take proactive steps by understanding the warning signs and knowing how to approach their child about this growing concern.

Rice's Yingyan Lin receives NSF CAREER Award

Yingyan Lin, an assistant professor at Rice University, has received a $400,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop more efficient deep learning hardware accelerators. Her goal is to push forward ubiquitous intelligent devices and green artificial intelligence, addressing the gap between complex algorithms and limited resources.

Oncotarget: MEK inhibitors relevant to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discovered that MEK inhibitors reduce cellular expression of ACE2, pERK, and pRb while stimulating NK-mediated cytotoxicity and attenuating inflammatory cytokines. MEKi also suppressed infectivity of the pseudovirus in human cells.

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.

Brain organoids grown in lab mature much like infant brains

Researchers have grown human stem cell-derived organoids in a lab dish that matured in sync with the timeline of human development, replicating key aspects of normal human development. The study provides a framework for assessing how well in vitro models model in vivo development and function.

Drones used to locate dangerous, unplugged oil wells

Using drones equipped with magnetometers, researchers can detect magnetic anomalies and pinpoint the location of unplugged oil wells. By locating these wells, the equivalent of nearly 750,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide could be removed from the atmosphere.

NASA's Swift helps tie neutrino to star-shredding black hole

Researchers linked a high-energy neutrino to an object outside our galaxy, tracing it back to a black hole tearing apart a star in a rare cataclysmic occurrence called a tidal disruption event. The findings provide insights into how these phenomena work and challenge previous expectations about when and how neutrinos are produced.

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.

Reconstructing early evolution of bird biodiversity

A study reveals three distinct periods of rapid species diversification in birds, linked to key adaptations for flight and diet. These events are influenced by long-term climate changes and the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event.

Screening for macrocyclic peptides

Researchers designed a simple screening assay based on competitive binding to identify peptide candidates with high binding affinity for ubiquitin. The dimers of cyclic peptides were found to be more potent than control peptides and induced cell death in live cancer cell lines.

Effective treatment for insomnia delivered in a few short phone calls

Researchers at the University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute developed a phone-based therapy to combat insomnia in older adults with osteoarthritis. The study found that this treatment can be delivered in just a few short calls, improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue and pain symptoms.

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.

How giant unicellular slime molds encode memories

Researchers observed that giant unicellular slime molds change tube diameters in response to nutrient sources, imprinted in the hierarchy of thinner and thicker tubes. This reorganization persists for up to 30 minutes before the organism migrates toward the nutrient source, suggesting a mechanism for memory formation.

Improved vectors for ocular gene therapy

Researchers have developed improved gene vectors for ocular gene therapy, allowing for widespread delivery and reducing risks associated with traditional approaches. These vectors are being tested in clinical trials and have shown promise in restoring daylight vision in animal models of achromatopsia.

Biological therapy has proved a suitable alternative to antibiotics

Researchers have isolated monoclonal antibodies that effectively target and inhibit the growth of tuberculosis germs in laboratory mice. These biological antibiotics show promise as an alternative to traditional chemical antibiotics, offering a safer and more stable treatment option.

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.

Distorting memories helps the brain remember

New research published in JNeurosci found that recalling similar memories triggers divergent brain activity patterns, resulting in better memory performance. This study suggests that the brain exaggerates differences between similar events, which can be advantageous in distinguishing between similar things and preventing confusion.

Medieval containers hint at thriving wine trade in Islamic Sicily

The study reveals chemical traces of grapes in medieval amphorae, suggesting a prosperous wine trade across the Mediterranean. The discovery implies that the Islamic community in Sicily produced and exported wine, contradicting previous assumptions about their consumption habits.

Bioengineered hybrid muscle fiber for regenerative medicine

Researchers developed a novel protocol for artificial muscle regeneration using direct cell reprogramming and natural-synthetic hybrid scaffold. The bioengineered muscle fiber constructs showed improved mechanical stiffness, enhanced muscle differentiation, and functional recovery in a mouse model with severe muscle loss.

Worker bees smell trouble in the colonies

Research reveals that worker bees can detect varroa-related compounds in brood cells, triggering a strong behavioral response to defend against the parasite. This finding has implications for breeding programs aimed at developing stronger resistance to Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies.

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.

A salt solution for desalinating brine

A team of researchers developed a three-dimensional crystallizer to treat waste brine using solar power, offering an eco-friendly solution for seawater desalination. The device achieves efficient evaporation rates even in the presence of salt crystals, paving the way for zero liquid discharge and sustainable agriculture.

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.

Ten lessons from the virus crisis

A new study identifies ten key factors contributing to the success of some countries in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, including considering globalization, political leadership, and civil society. The research highlights the importance of a systems approach to assess pandemic preparedness and social security provisions.

Advancing understanding of hop genome to aid brewers, medical researchers

Scientists have expanded their understanding of the hop genome, which could lead to the development of new hop varieties with desirable traits and improved production of compounds with potential health benefits. The research has implications for both the brewing industry and medical researchers studying hops.

Periodontal disease increases risk of major cardiovascular events

Researchers found that people with periodontitis are at higher risk of experiencing major cardiovascular events due to associated inflammation. Active gum disease was predictive of arterial inflammation, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications.

Sewage study shows which countries like to party hard

The study found the Netherlands recorded the highest usage of NPS, followed by Australia, New Zealand, and the US. Meanwhile, Spain, Italy, and China had the lowest incidence. Countries with higher usage included Australia, New Zealand, and the US, where substances like N-ethylpentylone were detected.

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.

CovMT: Tracking virus mutations across the world

The CovMT system processes publicly available data to detect mutations and mutation fingerprints, enabling tracking of virus evolution across the globe. It also predicts disease severity based on mutational fingerprints and correlates with patient data from GISAID.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Optical frequency combs found a new dimension

The generation of dissipative solitons and coherent frequency combs in a photonic dimer made of two microresonators enables real-time tuning of the soliton-based frequency comb. Soliton hopping, a phenomenon not present at the single-particle level, can be used for generating configurable combs in the radio-frequency domain.

CUHK physicists discover new route to active matter self-organisation

The CUHK research team found that viscoelasticity can be harnessed to control active matter's self-organisation, enabling the creation of self-driven devices. The discovery has implications for soft robotics, tissue engineering, and microbial physiology, as well as the dispersal of biofilms and gut microbiome.

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.

Spina bifida can be caused by uninherited genetic mutations

A new study published in Nature Communications shows that genetic mutations during embryonic development can cause spina bifida, a severe birth defect. Researchers found that even when these mutations occur randomly in only 16% of spinal cord cells, it's enough to lead to spina bifida.