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Science News Archive February 2021


Page 25 of 45

Tap water access linked to dengue risk

Researchers have identified tap water access as a strong predictor of dengue risk in urban environments. Poorly accessed colonies showed higher risks of exposure and recent infection compared to wealthier areas, highlighting the need for targeted mosquito control measures.

Proper fit of face masks is more important than material, study suggests

A University of Cambridge study found that the fit of a face mask is more important than its material in providing protection against COVID-19. The researchers discovered that even high-performance masks can perform no better than cloth masks if not fitted properly, highlighting the critical role of proper seal in ensuring effectiveness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Climate research: rapid formation of iodic particles over the Arctic

Researchers from Goethe University found that aerosol particle formation by iodic acid occurs rapidly in the Arctic atmosphere, potentially leading to increased cloud cover and warming. This discovery has implications for climate models and may help improve predictions for polar regions.

Ebola is a master of disguise

A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens identified a key pathway that Ebola uses to gain entry into human cells. The researchers found that a specific FDA-approved drug can prevent the virus from using this pathway, potentially leading to new treatment options for Ebola 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.

Aggressive brain tumor mapped in genetic, molecular detail

A new study mapped glioblastoma in genetic and molecular detail, revealing four distinct immune subtypes and potential targets for therapy. The research identified key signaling hubs, gene expression patterns and protein modifications that drive tumor growth.

Bringing bad proteins back into the fold

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a mechanism controlling the activity of chaperone proteins, which guide proteins into proper shapes. The findings shed light on hundreds of degenerative and neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.

Move quickly to relax

Researchers at Wayne State University aim to address impaired relaxation of heart muscles through novel biomechanical tests and imaging techniques. The project, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, will investigate how mechanical properties of the heart relate to models of heart failure.

Stirring up conflicts in tumour cells

Scientists have discovered that the MYCN oncogene drives uncontrolled tumour growth in neuroblastoma patients. Inhibiting MYCN or its function may be a promising approach to treating the disease.

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.

Nanowire could provide a stable, easy-to-make superconducting transistor

Researchers at MIT have developed a stable, easy-to-make superconducting transistor using nanowires. The new technology could overcome the disadvantages of existing superconducting devices, such as high cost and complexity, and find applications in quantum computers, telescopes, and energy-hungry electronics.

Protein sequences provide clues to how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells

Researchers analyzed protein sequences to understand how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells, identifying short linear motifs involved in endocytosis and autophagy. The findings suggest potential new therapeutic approaches for COVID-19, including the use of existing drugs that interfere with these cellular processes.

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.

Most people are naturally armed against SARS-CoV-2

A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that most people can produce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in severe cases of COVID-19. These antibodies can be combined to block the virus from spreading, offering a promising approach for treatment and prevention, especially for vulnerable populations.

Small mammals climb higher to flee warming temperatures in the Rockies

In a new study, researchers found that small mammals in the Rocky Mountains are shifting their ranges upward by over 400 feet due to climate change. The golden-mantled ground squirrel and other species are climbing higher to escape warming temperatures, with some moving up by as much as 1,100 feet.

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.

Capturing free-space optical light for high-speed wifi

A Duke University research team has made a major advance toward ditching fiber in fiber optics by capturing visible and infrared light for high-speed wireless internet. The researchers replicated plasmonic speed enhancements on macroscopic devices, achieving speeds of two gigabits per second.

The politics of synonyms

A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people are more successful at identifying language associated with Republican speech than Democratic speech patterns. The study used machine learning to scan the Congressional Record and presidential debate corpora to isolate linguistic variation between the two parties.

Want to hire more women? Expand your short list

A Cornell University study reveals that increasing the length of an initial job candidate shortlist can help hiring managers consider female candidates more, supporting gender equity efforts. By extending this list, it can increase the consideration of female candidates in male-dominant domains.

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.

Learn what you live? Study finds watching others can reduce decision bias

Researchers at Indiana University Kelley School of Business found that observing others make decisions can help reduce bias and improve decision-making. The study used computer games to decrease bias and showed that watching others solve problems helped observers learn about decision biases and improve their own.

Common pipistrelle bats attracted to wind turbines

A new study found that common pipistrelle bats are attracted to wind turbines, with activity around 30% higher at turbines than control locations. Ongoing monitoring and measures like idling blade rotation may help reduce fatalities. Soprano pipistrelle bat activity did not show conclusive evidence of attraction.

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 study suggests better approach in search for COVID-19 drugs

A new study has identified key differences in SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV that affect their behavior, revealing crucial insights into the development of antiviral drugs. The findings suggest that current approaches to drug discovery may not be effective for COVID-19 treatment.

Why portraying humans as healthy machines can backfire

Researchers found that human-as-machine representations can lead to unhealthy food choices among consumers with low confidence in their ability to make rational decisions. Adding reassuring messages can increase healthy food choice by 22%. The study highlights the need for a nuanced approach to public health strategies.

A new way of forming planets

Scientists have developed a new modelling technique to simulate the effects of both gravity and magnetism on planetary formation. The study suggests that magnetic fields can make it difficult for growing planets to accumulate mass beyond a certain point, resulting in a higher frequency of intermediate-mass planets.

Which conspiracy theory do you believe in?

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology professor explains that people from groups distrustful of the government are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. They also tend to have less education and use intuition when making decisions. Additionally, social media echo chambers can amplify these beliefs.

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.

Coronavirus test from a suitcase

A portable, suitcase-based laboratory provides rapid and accurate SARS-CoV-2 testing in regions with limited infrastructure. The mini-lab uses a recombinase polymerase amplification method, producing results in under 15 minutes.

Study finds even the common house sparrow is declining

A study by Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists found House Sparrow populations declining in North America, with larger winter flocks in urban areas. The decline is attributed to a lack of urban green space and nesting sites, similar to European studies.

Lifestyle changes in pregnant women affected babies' genes

A Swedish study found that lifestyle interventions during pregnancy, including physical activity and a healthy diet, led to epigenetic alterations in newborn babies. These changes were associated with increased muscle mass at birth and potentially benefited the children's body composition and growth later in life.

Teaching an old spacecraft new tricks to continue exploring the moon

NASA engineers developed Fast Maneuvering (FastMan) algorithm to enable LRO to keep exploring the Moon, allowing for nearly 200 additional slews that couldn't be performed otherwise. The algorithm improves performance by using star-tracker measurements and other information available from LRO's flight computer.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ted Rappaport, founder of NYU WIRELESS, elected to the Nat

Ted Rappaport, founder of NYU WIRELESS, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his outstanding contributions to radio frequency propagation and wireless communications. This marks the second consecutive year a researcher from NYU WIRELESS has been elected to NAE.

Smartphone app to change your personality

A digital intervention using a smartphone app altered major personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion. Participants who used the app for more than three months reported greater success in achieving their change goals compared to those who only used it for two months.

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.

Mark Torres wins Geochemical Society's Clarke Award

Mark Torres, an assistant professor at Rice University, has won the Geochemical Society's top honor for early-career scientists. His research focuses on interactions between the hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and crust.

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.

New study gives hope of eliminating mother-to-baby transmission of HIV

A new study published in Lancet HIV found that life-long antiviral treatment can prevent viral transmission from mother to baby, offering a promising contribution to the WHO's work on HIV prevention. The results showed up to 90% of women under study had suppressed viral levels for four years after starting Option B+ care.

A study analyses breakfast-related advertising in Mediterranean countries

A study found that breakfast products targeted at children contain significantly more sugar than those advertised for adults. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits and contribute to rising childhood obesity rates. The experts recommend restricting advertising for certain unhealthy foods aimed at young children.

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.

Wafer-scale production of graphene-based photonic devices

Researchers from Graphene Flagship partners developed a wafer-scale fabrication method for graphene-based photonic devices, enabling automation and paving the way to large-scale production. The technique allows for integration into silicon wafers, offering ultra-broadband communications and ultra-high mobility of carriers.

Hubble uncovers concentration of small black holes

Astronomers used Hubble and Gaia data to analyze the positions and velocities of stars in NGC 6397, finding strong evidence for invisible mass in the dense central regions. The bulk of this unseen mass is likely made up of stellar-mass black holes, rather than white dwarfs or neutron stars.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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