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Science News Archive February 2021 - Page 29


Page 29 of 45

Can strep throat make tics worse in kids?

A study published in Neurology found that strep throat exposure was associated with an increase of about 20% in ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness in children with chronic tic disorders. However, researchers did not find a link between strep exposure and worsening tics or symptoms of OCD.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·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.

How research on chronic illnesses will improve COVID-19 treatment

Long-COVID symptoms persist for over 12 weeks in many patients, causing health problems like cough, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Researchers explore potential pathways and propose strategies to manage symptoms using insights from studies of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalOxford Open Immunology·DateFeb 10, 2021

Age shall not weary them when it comes to discus and javelin

A new study reveals that athletes in track and field events like discus and javelin throwing, as well as marathon running, tend to achieve their best performances at a later age. This is attributed to the specific muscle fibres and techniques required for these sports, which allow for longer careers.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·DateFeb 10, 2021

Multi-inch single-crystalline perovskite for self-powered integrated circuit photodetection reported

Researchers developed a method to suppress phase segregation in large perovskite single crystals, yielding state-of-the-art devices with long carrier lifetime and high charge mobility. The resulting photodetectors exhibited high responsivity, photoconductive gain, and fast response speed, paving the way for novel imaging applications.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalScience Advances·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.

A novel approach to determine how carcinogenic bacteria find their targets

A new method was developed to investigate how Helicobacter pylori locates its target in the stomach. The technique successfully reported the probability of clockwise rotation in H. pylori and showed similarities with E. coli's flagellar control mechanism. This could lead to better understanding of chemotaxis and potential dietary inter...

SourceTexas A&M University·DateFeb 10, 2021

Novel analytical tools developed by SMART key to next-generation agriculture

Emerging technologies like plant nanosensors and Raman spectroscopy provide rapid, non-destructive insights into plant health and hormonal signalling. These species-independent tools bridge the gap between lab and field applications, offering new opportunities for plant science research.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 10, 2021

Why Black men's prostate cancer may be more responsive to immunotherapy

A new study discovered that Black men's tumors have a higher proportion of plasma cells, which correlates with improved cancer survival after surgery. This finding suggests that plasma cells may be key drivers of prostate cancer immune-responsiveness and could lead to personalized treatment options for men of all races.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021
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.

New wearable device turns the body into a battery

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder developed a low-cost wearable device that turns the human body into a biological battery. The device generates electricity by converting body heat into thermoelectric energy, making it a potential power source for wearable electronics.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 10, 2021

Reductions in CFC-11 emissions put ozone recovery back on track

Scientists observe significant reduction in CFC-11 emissions from eastern China and globally, following reported spikes in recent years. The decrease is attributed to successful actions taken to stamp out illegal production of the ozone-depleting chemical.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2021

COVID-19 telemonitoring program helps reduce hospital admissions and ER visits

A COVID-19 telemonitoring program, implemented by Kaiser Permanente's Virtual Home Care Program, successfully reduced hospital admissions and ER visits. The program utilized daily telemedicine check-ins to monitor patients' oxygen levels, ultimately keeping them out of the hospital or emergency room.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateFeb 10, 2021

Tumor-killing liquid offers a safer "bridge" therapy for patients with liver cancer

A liquid formulation called LATTE has been shown to kill liver cancer cells and potentiate chemotherapy treatments in mice, rabbits, pigs, and human tumor samples. The treatment could provide a safer alternative to traditional methods like thermal ablation, which can be resource-intensive and damage surrounding tissues.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 10, 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.

'Handy pen' lights up when exposed to nerve gas or spoiled food vapors

Researchers have developed a pen-like sensor that changes color in response to harmful gases, offering a potential solution for detecting toxic vapors. The device can identify nerve agents and volatile amine vapors, with applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and public safety.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Materials Letters·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.

Lung ultrasound helps predict COVID-19 patient outcomes

Researchers found that higher lung ultrasound scores correlated with increased risk of ICU admission, intubation, and death in severe COVID-19 patients. The study used a scoring protocol covering 12 lung regions to predict patient outcomes.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAnnals of Intensive Care·DateFeb 10, 2021

Anti-cancer drug's mode of operation deciphered

Immunologists at the University of Freiburg have solved a mystery about how Rituximab, an anti-cancer drug, targets B tumor cells. The researchers found that CD20 organizes nanostructures on the B cell membrane, and its absence or binding to Rituximab activates resting B cells.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2021

Brazil: Air conditioning equipment days of use will double without climate action

A study found that Brazil's average air conditioning equipment days of use would increase by over 100% in a 4°C warming scenario, significantly impacting space cooling needs. The country's energy consumption and CO2 emissions are projected to rise substantially even in more optimistic future warming scenarios.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateFeb 10, 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.

New weapon against resistant bacteria

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a new effective antibiotic to combat resistant bacteria, which are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. The substance, from the pleuromutilin class, fights multiple types of resistant bacteria via a unique mechanism of action.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateFeb 10, 2021

New tool helps clinicians assess patients who develop COVID-19 symptoms

A new tool called CORAL guides clinicians through diagnostic evaluations of patients with COVID-19 symptoms, allowing for safe discontinuation of isolation. The tool was developed to minimize the chance of false-negative test results and reduce hospitalization time.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 10, 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.

Infant and toddler food product names may not accurately reflect ingredient amounts

Researchers found that vegetables in U.S. Department of Agriculture's 'dark green' category were often included in product names, but their average order in the ingredient list was close to fourth. Fruits, particularly juice and juice concentrates, were less likely to appear in product names despite being more prominent in the ingredie...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateFeb 10, 2021

A recipe for regenerating bioengineered hair

Scientists at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research have identified a population of hair follicle stem cells and developed a recipe for normal cyclical regeneration. In the study, 81% of bioengineered hair follicles generated in NFFSE medium went through at least three hair cycles and produced normal hair.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2021

How the 3-D structure of eye-lens proteins is formed

Scientists observed disulphide bridge formation in ribosomal exit tunnel during protein synthesis, challenging previous assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on the causes of lens opacities and cataracts, a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

Long-term stress linked to increased risk of heart attack

A new study by researchers from Linköping University suggests that long-term stress is a risk factor for heart attacks. Cortisol levels in hair samples were found to be statistically significantly higher in individuals who suffered a heart attack, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·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.

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.

Researchers broaden tracking of COVID-19 through wastewater

A University of Miami-led team is expanding its pilot program to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, allowing for early warning systems and potential prevention of transmission. The two-year grant will also enable the team to collect and standardize data from institutions across the US, creating models to predict COVID-19 outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Miami·DateFeb 9, 2021

Physicists finesse the storing of light to create rainbows of colour

Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a way to use resonance to store light energy more effectively in microresonators. This leads to the creation of rainbow-like structures called frequency combs, which can be used for precise measurements and applications such as pollution monitoring and radar technology

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhysical Review A·DateFeb 9, 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.

Astronomical discovery earns 2020 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize

Researchers successfully localized a non-repeating fast radio burst (FRB) using a novel processing system and supercomputer. The breakthrough identified the source location as a galaxy about 3.6 billion light-years away, providing valuable insights into FRBs and their possible causes.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 9, 2021

Embry-Riddle alumna helps unravel key mysteries of rare stars

Researchers have mapped the orbit of a rare Nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star in the WR 133 binary system, marking the first-ever visually observed orbit of this type. The team determined the dynamical mass of both stars, with the WN star having 9.3 times more mass than our Sun.

SourceEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 9, 2021

Researchers use hot nano-chisel to create artificial bones in a Petri dish

Researchers at NYU Tandon and NYSF have developed a system to sculpt bone tissue with features smaller than a single protein, opening doors for disease modeling, cell research, and targeted therapies. The technology could revolutionize drug discovery and develop better orthopedic implants.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 9, 2021

Researchers identify a new molecular mechanism related to severe anaphylaxis

A study by University of Barcelona researchers reveals a new molecular mechanism controlling anaphylactic reaction severity, identifying the KARS gene mutation as a key player. This discovery holds promise for identifying patients at risk and developing prophylactic measures.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateFeb 9, 2021
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.

Porous materials unfavorable for coronavirus survival

Researchers found porous surfaces accelerate evaporation, reducing virus survival time to three hours on paper and two days on cloth. This suggests that covering impermeable surfaces with porous materials can help prevent infection transmission.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateFeb 9, 2021

New study discovers possible early detection method for elusive ovarian cancer

A new study from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that Pap test samples can detect proteins also present in ovarian cancer tumor tissues. This discovery suggests potential biomarker candidates for early detection of ovarian cancer, which currently has no early warning system.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Proteomics·DateFeb 9, 2021

Not a living fossil: How the Coelacanth recently evolved dozens of new genes

Scientists reveal that the African Coelacanth gained 62 new genes through encounters with other species, which arose from transposons. The genes likely play a role in gene regulation and are tissue-specific, with evidence suggesting they were introduced multiple times throughout evolutionary history.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 9, 2021

Combination therapy with radiation shows promise in treating glioblastoma

Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a new approach combining an anti-psychotic drug, a statin and radiation to improve overall survival in mice with glioblastoma. The triple combination extended median survival 4-fold compared to radiation alone, providing hope for improved treatment options.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 9, 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.

Shining a light on the true value of solar power

Researchers found that grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) owners are undercompensated in most of the U.S., as the value of solar eclipses net metering and two-tiered rates. This study provides a generalized model to evaluate the economics of grid-tied PV systems, showing substantial future regulatory reform is needed.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateFeb 9, 2021

Why does love of bargain hunting run in families?

A new study found that 70% of variability in deal proneness is associated with genetic factors, highlighting the existence of a heritable component. The research compared identical and fraternal twins, revealing stronger similarities in deal-proneness among identical twins.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 9, 2021

Unusual DNA folding increases the rates of mutations

Research reveals that regions of the human genome with unusual DNA folding tend to have higher mutation rates than others. The study found that non-B DNA sequences, which can fold into different conformations, play a major role in determining regional variation in mutation rates across the genome.

SourcePenn State·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateFeb 9, 2021
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.

AD diagnostics could become more accessible

Metal-containing diagnostic agents can detect early AD markers and synchrotron-independent, long-lived. They may improve access to AD imaging for risk groups, offering a solution to the current limitations of PET, MRI, and SPECT imaging.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2021

Notes of discomfort: Study keys in on trends in marching band members' pain

A new study by Oregon State University suggests that marching band members in leadership roles experience more neck and upper back discomfort, while less experienced bandmates are more prone to left-hand pain and cognitive strain. The findings also show that gender has no impact on discomfort levels or perception of workload.

SourceOregon State University·JournalWork·DateFeb 9, 2021