Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive February 2021


Page 27 of 45

New study identifies top-performing point-of-care COVID-19 tests

Researchers screened over 1,100 point-of-care COVID-19 tests and identified 5 direct (antigen/RNA) tests and 6 indirect (antibody) tests that meet the WHO 'desirable' Target Product Profile criteria. These tests have been found to be effective in detecting acute and prior infections.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How messenger substances influence individual decision-making

A study published in Nature Communications investigates the impact of messenger substance GABA and glutamate on human decision-making. The researchers found that individuals with a higher ratio of GABA to glutamate in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) made quicker decisions in patch-leaving scenarios, while those with higher ...

Monitoring the body's fat burning by breath

A research group from Tohoku University has developed a compact, low-cost device that can measure acetone gas concentration in exhaled air to monitor fat burning. The device uses ultraviolet light to gauge the concentration with high accuracy, allowing for non-invasive monitoring and optimization of metabolism.

How women make choices about surgery to prevent ovarian cancer

A study by Queen Mary University researchers investigated how women at high risk of ovarian cancer make choices about possible preventive surgery. Women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations have a higher lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, and may choose to undergo surgery to reduce their risk.

Role of dermatologists in early HIV/AIDS epidemic

This article revisits the pivotal role of dermatologists in the early HIV/AIDS epidemic, highlighting their contributions to diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness. The study's findings emphasize the importance of dermatologists in addressing skin-related issues during this critical period.

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.

Black carbon aerosols in Beijing become "slim"

In a study published in Environmental Pollution, researchers found that strict emission controls contributed to a decline in black carbon loading in urban Beijing. The aerosols became 'slim', with smaller core sizes and less coatings, indicating reduced solar radiation absorption and improved air quality.

Genetic markers show Pacific albacore intermingle across equator

Researchers at Oregon State University used thousands of genetic markers to determine the Pacific albacore's population structure. The study found that fish from different hemispheres intermingle and sometimes breed with each other, revealing a lack of clear boundaries between North and South Pacific populations.

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.

Virtual reality helping to treat fear of heights

A virtual reality app called Easyheights has been shown to improve ability to handle real height situations, with participants able to ascend further towards the top than before training. The app uses 360° images and gradually increases perceived distance without increasing fear levels.

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.

Racial, ethnic differences in deceased organ donation

The study found significant racial and ethnic differences in deceased organ donation rates, with African Americans having lower rates of registration and procurement compared to whites. Additionally, the researchers identified a growing disparity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white donors.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Time perception and sense of touch: a new connection

Researchers at SISSA have discovered a new theory for how we perceive the passage of time in relation to sensory stimuli. The study proposes that the experience of elapsed time is generated when the neuronal representation of a stimulus is collected and summed by an accumulator, explaining why we feel longer vibrations as stronger ones.

Jeremy Hunt: "I was too slow to boost the NHS workforce"

Former UK health secretary Jeremy Hunt blames delayed NHS workforce expansion for the country's inadequate pandemic response. He advocates for urgent reform of workforce planning and calls for government publication of staff requirements each year.

The chemistry lab inside cells

A team of scientists at Osaka University has discovered a new protein called QhpG that enables the conversion of amino acid residues on polypeptides into an enzyme cofactor. This finding may lead to the development of novel bioactive peptides and enzymes for bioremediation purposes.

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.

Astronomers uncover mysterious origins of 'super-Earths'

New study by McGill University researchers reveals that super-Earths can form independently, without gas shells like mini-Neptunes. This contradicts previous theories and sheds new light on the mysterious origins of these exoplanets.

Bone marrow 'map' opens path to organoid-like blood stem cell production

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed a 'map' of bone marrow tissue, providing new insights into how tiny blood vessels organize the bone marrow and regulate blood cell production. This discovery advances understanding of how to control the production of specific blood cells at will.

Google Scholar renders documents not in English invisible

A recent study found that Google Scholar systematically relegates non-English language documents to invisible positions, even among quality articles with hundreds of citations. This bias can have detrimental effects on researchers from non-English speaking countries, leading them to believe there is no literature in their native language.

Study finds fewer older people are having strokes

A new study published in Neurology found that the incidence of stroke is declining among people aged 70 and older. The researchers also discovered a steady rate of stroke incidence among younger adults, with fewer deaths from the disease overall.

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.

Heart disease deaths rising in young women

A nationwide US study found increasing death rates from heart disease in women under 65, with most deaths due to cancer and ischaemic heart disease. The study's authors warn that without intensive prevention efforts, heart disease mortality may surpass cancer to become the leading cause of death in young women.

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.

Flooding in the Columbia River basin expected to increase under climate change

The Columbia River basin is projected to experience a significant increase in flooding severity and expansion of the flood season due to climate change. The magnitude of one-, 10- and 100-year floods is likely to rise nearly everywhere in the region, with the largest increases expected for the Willamette River and its tributaries.

'Farfarout'! Solar system's most distant planetoid confirmed

The team discovered a planetoid dubbed 'Farfarout,' located 132 astronomical units (au) from the Sun, making it the most distant object ever observed. It has a highly elongated orbit that takes approximately 1,000 years to complete, crossing Neptune's orbit every time.

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.

Links between pollution and cancer in wild animals: what can we learn?

A recent review of over 300 studies found that cancer is linked to pollution in around 30 aquatic species, including skin and liver cancers. The study highlights the need for further research on the effects of chronic low-to-medium level exposure to oncogenic pollutants on wild animal health.

Origami powered by light

Pitt and CMU researchers create a high-torque light-powered actuator that can compete with electrical and pneumatic systems. By forming a polymer sheet into a curved shape, the bending action happens quickly and generates more torque.

A scalable method for the large-area integration of 2D materials

Researchers from Graphene Flagship report a new method to integrate graphene and 2D materials into semiconductor manufacturing lines, overcoming challenges such as transferring materials between growth substrates. The technique uses standard dielectric material BCB and conventional wafer bonding equipment, enabling high-quality integra...

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.

Scientists uncover four new facts about early SARS-CoV-2 infections

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School studied SARS-CoV-2 infections and found that remdesivir is effective in blocking virus replication in all cell types in the upper respiratory tract. The study also identified goblet cells as the main producer of pro-inflammatory responses, common in severe COVID-19 cases.

HIV research yields potential drug target

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a human protein called SAMHD1 that can recognize and respond to the HIV virus. This recognition mechanism may lead to a new approach for treating HIV/AIDS by targeting the protein with a specific drug.

Rapid ice retreat during last deglaciation parallels current melt rates

A new study shows that rapid ice melt in the Arctic during the last deglaciation parallels current melt rates, raising concerns about climate change. The research used marine sediment cores to reconstruct the state of the environment 20,000-10,000 years ago and found a consistent correlation between global warming and ice sheet retreat.

A new method to search for potentially habitable planets

A new method for directly imaging planets in the habitable zone of nearby stars has been developed, allowing for the detection of Earth-like planets. This technique uses a coronagraph and mid-infrared technology to improve sensitivity by a factor of 10 compared to existing capabilities.

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.

A new vision for AAV-delivered gene therapies

A new AAV-delivered gene therapy strategy uses immunomodulation to reduce inflammation and improve efficacy. By incorporating TLR9-inhibitory sequences into the AAV genome, researchers have enhanced expression of transgenes in mice, suggesting potential for higher efficacy.

Young and restless, old and focused: Age-differences in mind-wandering

A study published in Psychology and Aging suggests that older adults exhibit lower mind-wandering frequency and perform better on cognitive tasks due to increased motivation. This is attributed to their ability to reduce anxiety and improve focus, which enables them to mitigate potential costs associated with mind-wandering.

Quantum effects help minimise communication flaws

Researchers at the University of Vienna demonstrated a new approach to reduce noise in quantum communication schemes by sending particles along multiple paths simultaneously. This method, which utilizes quantum superposition, offers improved noise reduction and has been experimentally confirmed.

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.

Plant-based magnetic nanoparticles with antifungal properties

Scientists have developed a technology for obtaining magnetic nanoparticles using sweet flag extract, which exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The new nanoparticles show antifungal activity against various species of fungi, demonstrating potential applications in agriculture and medicine.

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.

Vitamin D supplementation: possible gain in life years combined with cost savings

Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation could reduce cancer mortality rates by around 13 percent, resulting in potential savings of €254 million per year. The study suggests that widespread vitamin D supplementation among Germans over 50 could prevent up to 30,000 cancer deaths annually and gain more than 300,000 years of life.

Nanoparticle gel unites oil and water in manufacturing-friendly approach

Scientists at NIST and University of Delaware developed a new method to create nanoparticle gels, which have potential uses in water filtration and smart windows. The resulting gel has a spongelike structure with interconnected microscopic channels, offering advantages for filtration and chemical reactions.

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.