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Science News Archive February 2021


Page 23 of 45

New surgery may enable better control of prosthetic limbs

Researchers at MIT have invented a new type of amputation surgery that reconnects muscle pairs, allowing patients to regain sensory feedback and control their residual muscles. This restored sense of proprioception translates to better control of prosthetic limbs and reduced limb pain.

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.

Collagen structures get the royal reveal

Researchers have created an algorithm called SCEPTTr that predicts the stability of collagen triple helices, a critical structure in skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The program expands on previous work to understand natural amino acids and provides detailed melting temperatures for each possible combination of sequences.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Climate effects on soil carbon at river basin scales

Soil organic carbon turnover is linked to temperature and precipitation patterns, suggesting that monitoring riverine carbon can track climate change impacts; this study provides new insights into the relationships between climate, soil carbon, and global carbon cycles.

Enormous ancient fish discovered by accident

A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth discovered a massive ancient fish fossil, estimated to be around 5 meters long, which is the largest of its type ever found. The fossil, composed of many thin bony plates arranged like a barrel, was identified as a coelacanth, a species believed to be extinct for millions of years.

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.

Managing crab and lobster catches could offer long-term benefits

Researchers found that managing pot fishing intensity at an optimum level increases quality of catch, benefits environment, and makes industry more sustainable. The study provides evidence of a 'threshold' for pot fishing intensity, highlighting compatibility with marine conservation when managed correctly.

Invasive flies prefer untouched territory when laying eggs

The invasive spotted wing drosophila prefers to lay its eggs in places that no other flies have visited, raising questions about how it detects virgin territory. This finding could inform the development of new pest-control techniques and mitigate significant crop losses.

Corn belt farmland has lost a third of its carbon-rich soil

The US Department of Agriculture has underestimated the true magnitude of farmland erosion in the Corn Belt, which has lost nearly 30 million acres of its carbon-rich topsoil. Researchers used remote sensing to quantify the previously underestimated erosion, highlighting the need for tillage erosion inclusion in soil loss models.

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.

Aspirin preferred to prevent blood clots in kids after heart surgery

A new study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that aspirin is a safer alternative to warfarin for preventing blood clots in children after Fontan surgery. Patients on aspirin had lower risks of bleeding and poorer bone mineral density compared to those on warfarin.

Clues for improving sleep in visually impaired athletes

Visually impaired athletes are at higher risk for sleep disorders due to stress from competition activities and late wake-up times. Researchers found that approximately one-third of respondents had sleep disorders, highlighting the need for strategies to improve relationships and adjust wake-up times.

Move over heavy goggles, here come the ultra-high refractive index lenses

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed ultra-high refractive index lenses using visibly transparent amorphous silicon. The new material allows for the control of all visible light colors, enabling more efficient and cost-effective virtual and augmented reality devices.

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.

Cabozantinib most effective treatment for metastatic papillary kidney cancer

A SWOG Cancer Research Network trial found cabozantinib to be the most effective treatment for patients with metastatic papillary kidney cancer, with a median progression-free survival of 9.2 months compared to 5.6 months with sunitinib. Additionally, 23% of patients experienced significant tumor reduction with cabozantinib.

Applying quantum computing to a particle process

A Berkeley Lab team successfully simulated a complex aspect of particle collisions using a quantum algorithm, accounting for neglected quantum effects. The researchers' approach meshes quantum and classical computing, allowing for efficient resources and improved accuracy.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NIH research funding to support surgeon scientists is rising

Funding for surgeon scientists has increased by 40% in terms of both numbers and amounts since 2010, despite overall NIH funding decreases and an increase in demand for clinical productivity. Basic science research has also remained stable, with 70% of grants focused on basic science.

Researchers have broken the code for cell communication

A study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg has successfully mapped the mechanism behind cellular communication in metabolic processes. The findings can potentially improve understanding of type 2 diabetes and its underlying mechanisms, allowing for the development of new medicines.

New synthetic peptides could attenuate atherosclerosis

Researchers have designed and synthesized short chains of amino acids that function like minimized soluble chemokine receptors, blocking atherosclerosis in animal models. These peptides selectively inhibit pathways underlying the disease while sparing beneficial physiological processes.

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.

Scientists identify how harmless gut bacteria "turn bad"

Scientists identified how harmless E. coli gut bacteria in chickens can acquire genes to become life-threatening infections, highlighting the potential for horizontal gene transfer and increasing antibiotic resistance. The study warns of the risk of such infections crossing over to infect humans.

Instant death from heart attack more common in people who do not exercise

A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that individuals who do not exercise have a higher risk of dying immediately from a heart attack. Regular physical activity was associated with a lower risk of instant and 28-day fatal heart attacks, with moderate to high levels of activity showing significant benefits.

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.

Medication-based starvation of cancer cells

Researchers discovered that immunomodulatory drugs like lenalidomide and pomalidomide starve cancer cells by destabilizing essential surface proteins, ultimately inhibiting tumor growth. This finding opens up new possibilities for targeted therapies in multiple myeloma.

Sweet coating for sour bones

Researchers developed a bioactive coating that sequentially turns on and off inflammation on bone implants under osteoporotic conditions. The coating harnesses the power of immune responses to enhance implanting efficacy without increasing the number or stimulating function of bone cells.

'Sex, lasers and male competition:' fruit flies win genetic race with rivals

A new study found that male fruit flies with the most impressive sexual ornamentation also have super sperm that can outcompete rivals in the post-mating fertilization game. The researchers discovered a strong link between the males' competitive success at passing on their genes even after a female fly has mated with other flies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

'See through soil' could help farmers deal with future droughts

Researchers at Princeton University developed a platform to visualize hydrogels' hidden workings in soils, revealing that the amount of water stored is controlled by a balance between swelling force and soil pressure. This study provides guidelines for designing hydrogels that can optimally absorb water depending on soil conditions.

Antitumoral effects of LXR activation

The study found that LXR activation inhibits the production of chemokines Ccl17 and Ccl22, which recruit regulatory T lymphocytes to the tumor microenvironment. This leads to a decrease in Treg numbers and slower tumor growth.

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.

Birds can 'read' the Earth's magnetic signature well enough to get back on course

Researchers at Bangor University discovered that birds displaced beyond their normal migratory route can still use the Earth's magnetic signature to find their way back, a feat known as true navigation. The Eurasian reed warbler was found to be able to extrapolate its position from magnetic signals even when far beyond familiar territory.

New class of drug leads to 30% reduced risk of death for bladder cancer patients

A new class of antibiotic-drug conjugate (ADC) drugs has been found to significantly increase the survival rate of patients with bladder cancer. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London, showed that the drug reduced the risk of death by 30% compared to chemotherapy, with a median survival time of approximately 13 months.

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.

UTIA Professor receives SAEA Emerging Scholar Award

Karen DeLong, UTIA Associate Professor, received the SAEA Emerging Scholar Award for her research and publication activity. Her work focuses on livestock economics, agricultural policy, and international trade, with over $4.7 million in grant funding.

UTIA professor earns SAEA Lifetime Achievement Award

Burton C. English, a UTIA professor, received the SAEA Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant and enduring contributions to the agricultural economics profession. He is recognized internationally as an expert in bioenergy research and has made substantial impacts on sustainable aviation fuel development.

NASA's TESS discovers new worlds in a river of young stars

Astronomers have discovered three hot worlds larger than Earth in the Pisces-Eridanus stream, a collection of young stars. The planets, TOI 451 b, c, and d, are expected to retain much of their atmospheres despite intense heat from their nearby star.

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.

Algorithm that performs as accurately as dermatologists

A new AI algorithm has demonstrated the ability to accurately diagnose skin melanoma, rivaling that of experienced dermatologists. The study used machine learning to analyze 937 images and 200 cases, with results showing no significant difference between human dermatologists and the algorithm in making classifications.

Gene-based blood test for melanoma spread evaluates treatment progress

A new study found that a gene-based blood test can accurately monitor treatment progress in people with late-stage melanoma, allowing for swift treatment modification and potentially saving lives. The test targets the most common mutations in melanoma cells, detecting DNA fragments released by dying tumor cells.

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.

T cells depressed

Research on T cells reveals that prolonged exposure to antigens can lead to exhaustion, reducing their ability to contribute to immune responses. A new model study identifies dynamic adjustments in T helper cells' states of exhaustion and suggests potential therapeutic targets.

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.

Producing more sustainable hydrogen with composite polymer dots

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new method to produce sustainable hydrogen using composite polymer nanoparticles. The 'polymer dots' showed promising performance and stability in laboratory tests, with a 7% efficiency rate at 600 nanometres.