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Science News Archive January 2021


Page 35 of 40

MRI frequently underestimates tumor size in prostate cancer

A study by researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that MRI frequently underestimates the size of prostate tumors, which can lead to undertreatment. The accuracy of treatment depends on precise measurements of both tumor size and PI-RADS score.

Cancer cells hibernate like bears to evade harsh chemotherapy

Researchers have found that cancer cells can enter a slow-dividing state to survive chemotherapy, similar to an embryonic survival program in mammals. Targeting these sleeping cells with novel therapies may prevent cancer regrowth and overcome drug resistance.

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.

Energy sorghum may combine best of annual, perennial bioenergy crops

A CABBI study shows energy sorghum behaves more like perennial miscanthus in its efficient use of water and light to produce abundant biomass. Energy sorghum has higher nitrogen emissions than maize but can be managed with careful fertilizer, offering a middle-road crop solution.

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.

Human migration patterns connected to vitamin D deficiencies today

Research finds that migration from high sunlight regions to low sunlight regions increases risk of vitamin D deficiency, associated with higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Vitamin D supplements may offer significant benefits in extending life years

A brain mechanism underlying 'vision' in the blind is revealed

A study by Weizmann Institute of Science researchers found that spontaneous brain activity in the visual centers can trigger vivid visual hallucinations in blind individuals with Charles Bonnet syndrome. The findings suggest a shared neural system for vision, imagination, and hallucination.

Mediterranean diet may decrease risk of prostate cancer progression

A new study found that a Mediterranean-style diet may help slow the progression of prostate cancer in men who are not seeking immediate treatment. Men with localized prostate cancer who followed a more plant-based diet had a lower risk of cancer growth or advancement, regardless of their age, PSA levels, or tumor volume.

Refined process enables high-strength thin glass

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed a refined process for thermally tempering thin glass, removing limitations on strength. The new method uses a liquid coolant to create a thermal gradient, enabling the production of high-strength glasses without thickness restrictions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

COVID-19 likely lingered longer than reported in Wuhan

Researchers found thousands of Wuhan residents infected with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases after initial control measures. The study suggests a large number of asymptomatic carriers existed after reported cases were eliminated.

Genomes reveal insights into much-loved Aussie animals

The genomes of platypus and echidna have been published in Nature, providing a valuable resource for research on mammalian biology and evolution. The study sheds light on the unique biology and reproductive strategy of these animals, offering new leads for drug development and genetic management of threatened populations.

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.

Treating an autoimmune disease in mice with an mRNA vaccine

Researchers developed an mRNA vaccine that restored tolerance to self-proteins in mice with autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model for multiple sclerosis. The vaccine suppressed immune responses and promoted regulatory T cells to control the disease.

Birmingham research paves the way for new anti-fibrotic therapy for glaucoma

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have identified a potential new treatment for open angle glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disease affecting over 70 million people worldwide. ILB has been shown to normalise matrix deposition and lower intraocular pressure in a pre-clinical model, paving the way for anti-fibrotic therapies.

Sleep is irreplaceable for the recovery of the brain

Researchers at the University of Freiburg found that sleep is essential for brain recovery and improvement in performance after intense training or work. During deep sleep, brain activity strengthens relevant connections and weakens unused ones.

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 challenges for wolf conservation

The growing wolf population in Germany threatens legally binding nature conservation goals due to increased attacks on livestock. The researchers propose simplifying regulatory measures, actively managing the wolf population, and providing financial support for farmers to implement conservation efforts.

Covid-19 genome sequencing project gets major upgrade

A £1.2M grant will upgrade the CLIMB COVID-19 project's computational equipment to process genomic data globally. Researchers can analyze genomes from local populations in relation to global datasets, facilitating equitable data sharing and fighting pandemic diseases.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

COVID-19 and dental and dental hygiene students' career plans

A study by Virginia Commonwealth University found that over 10% of dental hygiene students felt anxious about the future of dentistry, with 40% in their final year changing their career plans. Students who planned to change careers had higher stress and anxiety scores than those who didn't.

When galaxies collide: Hubble showcases six beautiful galaxy mergers

The Hubble imaging Probe of Extreme Environments and Clusters (HiPEEC) survey investigates how star clusters form and evolve during galaxy mergers. The study reveals large and rapid variations in star cluster properties, with the most massive clusters formed towards the end of the merger phase.

Focused ultrasound shows promise for Parkinson's disease

Researchers found that focused ultrasound improved parkinsonian symptoms by 10 points in treated patients, with potential benefits for those with asymmetrical symptoms and limited treatment options. However, further refinements of the technology are needed to ensure reliability and safety.

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.

Researchers create comprehensive database of head and neck cancers

The study identified three distinct subtypes of HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) with varying prognoses. The subtypes CIN, Basal, and Immune showed potential for different treatments, including CDK4/6 inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Unusual sex chromosomes of platypus, emu and duck

Researchers have found unusual sex chromosomes in platypus, emu, and duck using cutting-edge sequencing techniques. The studies reveal that platypus has ten sex chromosomes paired together in a head-to-tail manner, whereas birds have ZW sex chromosomes.

55 scientists funded to explore their research's commercial potential

The European Research Council has awarded €8.25 million in ERC Proof of Concept grants to 55 researchers, enabling them to explore the commercial and societal potential of their work. This funding will support the development of new technologies, such as a low-cost COVID-19 test and clean energy producing technology.

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.

Selfish elements turn embryos into a battlefield

Researchers identified five novel toxin-antidote pairs in nematode species Caenorhabditis tropicalis and C. briggsae. The study found that these elements can delay reproduction or kill non-carriers, causing defects in over 70% of progeny from a single cross.

Cutting COVID-19 infectious period could prevent millions of cases

A new study suggests that shortening the COVID-19 infectious period by half a day could avert up to 1.4 million cases and over 99,000 hospitalizations, saving $209.5 billion in direct medical costs. Expanding treatment to 75% of infected individuals could avert 29.7 million cases and save $856 billion.

Researchers question fundamental study on the Kondo effect

Scientists from Jülich researchers found an alternative cause for the dip in energy spectrum attributed to the Kondo effect. They propose new experiments based on their predictions, suggesting that much of what was thought about the Kondo effect needs re-examination.

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.

Machine-learning models of matter beyond interatomic potentials

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict electronic density of states (DOS) for materials properties. The model demonstrates transferability across different phases and scalability to large system sizes, making it applicable to address long-standing open questions in materials science.

What happens when your brain can't tell which way is up or down?

Researchers at York University found that individuals differ in their reliance on visual information to interpret their environment, leading to varying perceptions of self-motion. This study's findings have practical applications for space travel, virtual reality game design, and understanding aging-related changes in mobility.

What is surgical smoke and what can be done about it?

Researchers define surgical smoke as a hazardous vapor composed of aerosolized chemicals, with potential to obscure vision, cause respiratory issues, and even contain viruses. Laws mandating its evacuation from operating rooms are recommended to reduce health impacts.

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.

Social transmission of pain, fear has different targets in mouse brain

Researchers discover pain and fear are transmitted through different brain regions in mice, with pain mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex to the nucleus accumbens and fear mediated by the ACC to the basolateral amygdala. This study provides insights into empathy and may offer a model for socially-induced pain relief among humans.

Beating the bulge with a nice cup of tea

A recent study by the University of Tsukuba found that drinking two cups of oolong tea a day can increase fat breakdown by about 20% in healthy volunteers. This effect was observed even when participants were asleep, suggesting a potential role for oolong tea in weight management.

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.

Low risk of severe COVID-19 in children

A Swedish registry study found that only 0.77 intensive care patients per 100,000 children aged 1-16 were treated for COVID-19 or multi-inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Despite schools being open during the pandemic, none of the children died within two months after their intensive care period.

Mental health of UK women, ethnic minorities especially affected during pandemic

A UK survey conducted before and during the pandemic reveals that women and ethnic minorities experienced a significant increase in average mental distress, with BAME men experiencing a greater average increase than White British men. The study suggests that the pandemic may have particularly affected the mental wellbeing of these groups.

The new face of the Antarctic

A comprehensive study of the Antarctic's status quo and future reveals alarming changes due to climate change, including ocean acidification and increased biodiversity. The team forecasts a more intense 'greening' of coastal areas but warns that prolonged warming could lead to species extinction.

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.

Light-based processors boost machine-learning processing

Researchers developed a new approach using light-based processors to accelerate matrix-vector multiplications in neural networks. The photonic chips achieve parallel calculations using multiple wavelengths of light, enabling complex mathematical tasks to be processed at high speeds and throughputs.

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.