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Science News Archive February 2021 - Page 27


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.

SourceNSF International·JournalDiagnostics·DateFeb 10, 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.

Solar awnings over parking lots help companies and customers

Retailers can increase customer comfort and attract EV owners by installing solar canopies on parking lots. This can provide a path for green consumerism and incentivize shopping, ultimately increasing store selection and profit.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalRenewable Energy·DateFeb 10, 2021

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 ...

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceTohoku University·JournalSensors·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Medical Genetics·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateFeb 10, 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.

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateFeb 10, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 10, 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.

Tests reveal cybersecurity vulnerabilities of common seismological equipment

A new study reveals common seismological equipment is vulnerable to cyberattacks, posing risks to data collection and processing. Seismic networks may be exposed to security breaches if devices use non-encrypted data, insecure protocols, and poor user authentication mechanisms.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateFeb 10, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalFuture Internet·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

Traffic reductions due to COVID-19 boost air quality in some states but not all

A study by University of South Florida researcher Yasin Elshorbany found that dramatic decreases in traffic caused by COVID-19 shutdowns improved air quality in some states, such as New York and Florida. However, additional forms of pollution in other parts of the country were not offset by these reductions.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalRemote Sensing·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2021

'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.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·DateFeb 10, 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.

COVID-infected mothers separated from their babies affects breastfeeding outcomes

A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that separating COVID-infected mothers from their babies can cause significant maternal distress and negatively impact exclusive breastfeeding. The research suggests that skin-to-skin care, rooming-in within arms' reach, and direct breastfeeding may be safe for infected mothers.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalEnvironment International·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalSoft Matter·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

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...

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalQuaternary Science Advances·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

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.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 10, 2021

Definitely not the flu: risk of death from COVID-19 3.5 times higher than from flu

A new study published in CMAJ found that COVID-19 is significantly more severe than seasonal influenza, with patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19 having a 3.5 times greater risk of death and longer hospital stays. Younger adults also accounted for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 10, 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.

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.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalNano-Structures & Nano-Objects·DateFeb 10, 2021

Rabies treatment demonstrated as safe and effective for use in children in first pediatric trial

Researchers have demonstrated a new treatment called KEDRAB to be safe and effective for use in children with rabies, marking the first pediatric trial of any human rabies immunoglobulin currently available in the US. The study found no deaths or serious adverse events among participants, and most side effects were mild.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

Oncotarget: Melatonin increases overall survival of prostate cancer patients

A retrospective study found that melatonin significantly improved the median overall survival of prostate cancer patients with poor prognosis, reducing mortality risk by more than twice. The antitumor effects of melatonin are fully realized in treating PCa patients with unfavorable tumor progression factors.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalMolecular Oncology·DateFeb 10, 2021

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021