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Science News Archive February 2021 - Page 23


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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021
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.

Capuchin monkey genome reveals clues to its long life and large brain

A new study has sequenced the capuchin monkey genome, uncovering genetic clues about their long lifespan and large brains. The researchers identified genes associated with DNA damage response, metabolism, and insulin signalling, which may contribute to their longevity.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 15, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

CO2 dip may have helped dinosaurs walk from South America to Greenland

A new study suggests that a 15-million-year journey was aided by a drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. The lower CO2 may have reduced climatic barriers, making it easier for sauropodomorph dinosaurs to migrate from Argentina and Brazil to Greenland.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021

A groundbreaking solution? Polymers can protect buildings from large fault ruptures

A team of researchers has proposed a new composite foundation system using inexpensive polymeric materials to protect structures sitting on deep foundations. The novel technique uses geotextile layers to isolate the building from the ground, reducing impact of large ground deformations due to fault rupture.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalGeotextiles and Geomembranes·DateFeb 15, 2021

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalCretaceous Research·DateFeb 15, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 15, 2021

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 15, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateFeb 14, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSleep Medicine·DateFeb 14, 2021

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.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 14, 2021
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.

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.

SourceSWOG·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 13, 2021

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

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.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2021

Promising new approach to stop growth of brain cancer cells

Researchers develop new strategy to stop glioblastoma cell growth by inhibiting PRMT5 enzyme, leading to cellular senescence and tumor suppression. The study provides hope for treating this deadly brain cancer with a new class of drugs.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 12, 2021

Researchers propose that humidity from masks may lessen severity of COVID-19

A NIH study found that face masks increase humidity in inhaled air, which can benefit the immune system and combat respiratory diseases like COVID-19. The humidifying effects of masks vary depending on temperature and mask type, with thick cotton masks leading to the most increased level of humidity.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

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.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 12, 2021

ACC urges COVID-19 vaccine prioritization for highest risk heart disease patients

The American College of Cardiology recommends prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for patients with advanced cardiovascular disease over those with well-managed conditions. The policy statement considers exposure risks, clinical risks, and disparities among racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 12, 2021

'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.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 12, 2021

Green tea compound aids tumor-suppressing, DNA-repairing protein

A study published in Nature Communications found that green tea compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) preserves the tumor-suppressing protein p53 from degradation. This interaction increases p53 levels, which can aid in DNA repair and destroy cancerous cells.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

UrFU Mathematician's new methods for solving optimal control problem of objects

A researcher from Ural Federal University developed a new approach to solving optimal control problems for groups of objects. By applying the concept of dynamic stability, he created partial differential equations that predict the behavior of multiple agents in conflict situations.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalJournal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications·DateFeb 12, 2021

'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.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 12, 2021

Identifying risk factors for elevated anxiety in young adults during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study found that children with high behavioral inhibition in toddlerhood were more likely to experience worry dysregulation and elevated anxiety in young adulthood. This research could help predict who is at greatest risk of developing anxiety during stressful life events and inform prevention efforts.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceBangor University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 12, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateFeb 12, 2021
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.

Study shows airborne particulate matter is also contaminated with tobacco smoke-driven particulates

A landmark study reveals that airborne particulate matter is contaminated with tobacco smoke-driven particulates, with Nicotelline identified as a suitable marker. The study shows a ubiquitous presence of Nicotelline even at low concentrations, with geographical variability linked to population density and tobacco use prevalence.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalEnvironment International·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 12, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

The Lancet: COVID-19 vaccination potential will not be achieved without increased production, affordable pricing, global availability, and successful rollout

To ensure an effective global immunization strategy against COVID-19, vaccines must be produced at scale, priced affordably, and allocated globally. The authors assess the potential contribution of leading vaccines using a traffic light system, highlighting production challenges and the need for equitable distribution. Governments and ...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 12, 2021

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.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 12, 2021