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Science News Archive January 2021


Page 9 of 40

Invasive mussels now control a key nutrient in the American Great Lakes

Researchers found that quagga mussels regulate phosphorus supply to the ecosystem, transforming nutrient cycling and affecting productivity. The study's findings highlight dramatic ecological changes caused by a single invasive species and call for a new paradigm in managing aquatic ecosystems.

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.

Hybrid closed-loop insulin therapy improves glycemic control

The International Diabetes Closed-Loop (iDCL) Trial found that hybrid closed-loop insulin therapy significantly improved glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. The use of this technology increased Time in Range by 13%, especially during nighttime hours, and reduced time spent at blood glucose levels above 180 mg/dL.

Vaccine shows potential against deadly leptospirosis bacteria

A universal leptospirosis vaccine candidate has been developed, providing cross-protection against different species of the Leptospira genus. The attenuated vaccine elicited a wide range of protein-specific antibodies, targeting key proteins critical to the bacteria's survival.

Extreme black holes have hair that can be combed

Researchers have discovered a phenomenon where extreme black holes exhibit 'gravitational hair', a measurable quantity that depends on the black hole's formation process. This finding violates the 'no hair' theorem, which states that all black holes are identical and can be fully characterized by their mass, spin, and charge.

Wirelessly rechargeable soft brain implant controls brain cells

Researchers developed a wireless, rechargeable soft brain implant that can be controlled wirelessly by a smartphone, allowing seamless chronic neuromodulation. The device uses micrometer-sized LEDs to manipulate target neurons in the deep brain, enabling real-time brain control and reducing the burden on patients for long-term use.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Increase in minimum wage will save infant lives, study shows

A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour can reduce infant deaths by up to 1.8% annually in large U.S. cities, saving over 1,400 infant lives annually. States preempting city and county governments from raising the minimum wage contribute to these infant deaths.

Fighting racial inequity by funding Black scientists

A group of researchers is calling on the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies to address disparities in allocating support to Black researchers. The disparity has resulted in Black applicant award rates being around 55% lower than those of white principal investigators.

New £1.6 million research project for MND drug candidate

Researchers have secured a £1.6 million grant to develop M102, a potential breakthrough in treating motor neuron disease (MND). The drug's neuroprotective properties were discovered by the University of Sheffield's Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), which will now advance its translational development.

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.

Breakthrough design at UBCO vastly improves mechanical heart valve

Researchers at UBCO's Heart Valve Performance Lab have developed a novel bileaflet mechanical heart valve that functions like the real thing, improving blood flow and preventing clots. The design incorporates a slight twist to mitigate clotting risk and enhances overall performance.

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.

Cannabis use both helps and hurts entrepreneurial creativity

A study by Washington State University researchers found that cannabis-using entrepreneurs generated more original business ideas but less feasible ones. However, the effect was only observed in those with a strong passion for exploring new business ideas. On the other hand, experienced entrepreneurs were not affected by cannabis use.

Solar material can 'self-heal' imperfections, new research shows

Researchers at the University of York have discovered a solar absorber material called antimony selenide that can self-heal broken bonds. This ability eliminates problematic electronic states and has important implications for applications in optoelectronics and photochemistry.

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.

Change of course on the journey to the island of stability

Researchers at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung investigate flerovium, element 114, and find it lacks a predicted 'magic' shell structure. This challenges the search for the island of stability in element 114 and shifts focus to heavier elements.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: COVID-19 changed how we remember

Researchers analyzed how Holocaust museums and monuments adapted their programs during the pandemic. They found that educators used social media tools, live streaming, and online discussions to preserve remembrance. The study suggests a new reality where digital memorials and online efforts complement physical trips to sacred sites.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

When push comes to shove, what counts as a fight?

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati studied monk parakeets' behaviors, distinguishing between 'displacements' and 'crowding'. Their computational analysis supported pooling these behaviors, providing a framework for informed decisions in animal behavior research.

Metoclopramide inhibits proliferation of leukemia stem cells

Researchers at Inselspital and the University of Bern discovered that metoclopramide inhibits the proliferation of leukemia stem cells, a key target in CML treatment. The study identifies CD93 as a specific regulator responsible for leukemia stem cell growth, paving the way for potential new therapies.

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.

Rates of skin cancer have increased dramatically over recent decades

Skin cancer rates in the UK have increased dramatically over the past four decades, with a notable rise in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that public health campaigns targeting children and adolescents may be contributing to the stabilization of skin cancer incidence among young people.

Newly discovered fossil named after U of A paleontologist

A new trace fossil, Glossifungites gingrasi, has been named after University of Alberta paleontologist Murray Gingras. The discovery provides insight into ancient water salinity levels and helps narrow down the type of organism that created the burrow.

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.

Compelling evidence of neutrino process opens physics possibilities

The COHERENT experiment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has established a new kind of neutrino interaction, coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. The discovery confirms earlier observations and provides constraints on alternative theoretical models, shedding light on the universe's nature.

Strokes after TIAs have declined over time, study shows

A study published in JAMA found that the risk of stroke following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) has decreased over time, from 23.9% to 7.6%. Despite this improvement, patients with TIAs still face a significant risk of subsequent stroke, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management of cardiovascular risk factors.

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.

Researchers use nanomaterials to make 2D diamond clusters at room temperature

A team of researchers has successfully fabricated atomically thin, 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) films that phase transition to strong, super lightweight cubic boron nitride (c-BN) at room temperature. The findings reveal a promising material for protective coatings, nanotechnology thermal applications, and deep-UV light emitters.

Myeloid immune cells in the blood tied to severe COVID-19

Researchers discovered that patients with severe COVID-19 have significantly elevated levels of M-MDSCs in their blood compared to milder cases and healthy individuals. These findings suggest a potential connection between early immune responses and disease severity.

LSD may offer viable treatment for certain mental disorders

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a possible mechanism that contributes to LSD's ability to increase social interaction, activating serotonin receptors and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The findings could lead to the development of novel therapies for anxiety and autism disorders.

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.

Hospital worker flu shots could mean fewer deaths

A study by University of Georgia researchers found that state laws promoting flu vaccinations for hospital workers can substantially reduce the number of influenza-related deaths. States with vaccination mandates saw an average reduction in mortality of about two deaths per 100,000 persons, primarily among older adults.

To combat false news, correct after reading

Researchers found that fact-checking labels, when attached to online news headlines, are more effective when shown immediately after participants read the headlines. This approach reduced people's misclassification of those headlines by 25.3 percent, compared to 8.6 percent and 5.7 percent with other timing methods.

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.

Impact of patient-reported symptom information on lumbar spine MRI Interpretation

Research suggests that radiologists' diagnoses of lumbar spine pain generators are highly accurate when using patient-reported symptom information from brief questionnaires. The study found almost perfect agreement between radiologists' diagnoses using symptom information and those without it, improving diagnostic certainty levels.

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.

Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians

Research finds musicians have stronger brain connections compared to non-musicians, with younger start dates showing more significant differences. Musicians with absolute pitch also exhibit enhanced auditory region activity and white matter connections.

Male breast cancer patients face high prevalence of heart disease risk factors

Researchers found a high prevalence of cardiovascular conditions in male breast cancer patients, including overweight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The study highlights the need for cardiologists and cardio-oncologists to be involved in treatment due to common risk factors and potential cardiotoxic effects.

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.