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Science News Archive January 2021 - Page 15


Page 15 of 40
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NUI Galway contribute to significant breast cancer risk genes study

Researchers at NUI Galway have contributed to a significant international study identifying nine specific genes linked to breast cancer risk. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, used DNA samples from 2,000 Irish patients and controls to uncover key genetic associations.

SourceUniversity of Galway·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 21, 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.

Fans of less successful football clubs are more loyal to one another

A study by the University of Kent and Oxford found that fans of less successful Premier League teams have a stronger social bond with fellow fans, expressing greater willingness to sacrifice themselves for others. This loyalty is attributed to shared experiences of defeats and emotional difficulty, fusing fans to their club.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalManaging Sport and Leisure·DateJan 21, 2021

New study: nine out of ten US infants experience gut microbiome deficiency

Approximately nine out of ten US infants suffer from a gut microbiome deficiency, including a lack of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, which plays a critical role in infant health and development. This deficiency is linked to an increased presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, and a higher risk of a...

SourceCoyne PR·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 21, 2021

How clicks on a job platform can reveal bias

Researchers analyzed millions of decisions made by recruiters on a popular job platform, revealing significant bias against immigrants and women. The study found that biases were more pronounced towards the end of the workday and in male-dominated professions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJan 21, 2021

Tough childhood damages life prospects

A new study by Uppsala University researchers found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have serious lifelong repercussions on people's lives and health. Couples who experienced ACEs had lower educational attainment, poor couple relationships, and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 21, 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.

New, simplified genetic test effectively screens for hereditary cancers

Researchers have developed a new integrated genetic/epigenetic DNA-sequencing protocol called MultiMMR that can identify mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in a single test. This alternative to complex testing workflows determines causes of MMR deficiency often missed by current clinical tests.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateJan 21, 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.

Astronomers discover first cloudless, Jupiter-like planet

Astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics have detected a cloud-free exoplanet, WASP-62b, which is similar to Jupiter. The discovery was made using spectroscopy and revealed the presence of sodium in the planet's atmosphere. This finding provides valuable insights into the formation and composition of such rare planets.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 21, 2021

Advances in modeling and sensors can help farmers and insurers manage risk

Recent advances in crop modeling and remote sensing can enhance the quality of index insurance programs, increasing the value that index insurance offers to agricultural households and communities. This approach enables inexpensive, quick coverage to many people who would otherwise be uninsured.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateJan 21, 2021

How the brain learns that earmuffs are not valuable at the beach

A new study led by the University of Tsukuba and NEI has discovered a brain circuit that allows monkeys to learn context-dependent object values. The researchers found that fast-spiking neurons in the basal ganglia control motor movements, including eye movements, when learning associations between objects and backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 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.

School-made lunch 'better' for children

Researchers at Flinders University suggest that a universal school-provided lunch model could ensure all children have access to healthy food, reduce stigma around food choices, and support learning. A study found that 40% of energy consumed by kids during school hours comes from unhealthy foods.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 21, 2021

New research to examine how sedentary behaviour is bad for our health

A new study funded by the British Heart Foundation measures how sedentary behaviour affects health, particularly heart and circulatory conditions. Researchers analyzed data from 72,000 participants to understand the relationship between physical inactivity, sitting time, and sleep quality on health outcomes.

SourceBritish Heart Foundation·DateJan 21, 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.

Stanford: forecasting coastal water quality

The study presents a modeling framework that accurately predicts water quality at beaches after only a day or two of frequent water sampling. This approach could be used to monitor unmonitored coastal areas, protecting the well-being of beachgoers and thriving ocean economies worldwide.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 21, 2021

Better post-surgery care would dramatically improve cancer survival

A study of nearly 16,000 patients across 82 countries found that low-and lower-middle-income countries had significantly higher mortality rates following surgery due to inadequate facilities and care plans. Investing in proper recovery spaces, trained staff, and critical care facilities can greatly improve surgical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 21, 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.

New technique to fast-track pain research

Researchers at Flinders University have developed a new technique to replicate sensory neurons involved in pain sensation, providing ample resources for testing potential drugs. The technique allows for the easy generation of large numbers of cells, enabling the simultaneous testing of thousands of samples or potential drug libraries.

SourceFlinders University·JournalMolecular Pain·DateJan 21, 2021

Randomized trials could help to return children safely to schools - study

A new study published in Clinical Trials proposes staging cluster randomized trials to clarify uncertainties around school reopening policies. The trial design would create a rigorous evidence base for policymakers to make informed decisions, considering factors such as community transmission and health system capacity.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalClinical Trials·DateJan 21, 2021

Catching cancer in the act

Using CRISPR, scientists have created 'scratchpad' cells that can be tracked in real-time as they proliferate and spread. This method reveals differences in tumor biology and identifies genes associated with metastasis.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 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.

Adaptive optics with cascading corrective elements

Researchers developed a new AO module comprising two deformable phase plates, enabling direct integration with existing microscopes. The system successfully corrected sample-induced aberrations in synthetic samples, demonstrating improved image quality and doubling the aberration correction range.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJan 21, 2021

Study updates breast cancer risk estimates for women with no family history

A new multi-institution study provides more accurate estimates of breast cancer risk for US women with inherited mutations in breast cancer predisposition genes. The findings may allow healthcare providers to better assess the risk of breast cancer and provide more appropriate risk management strategies.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 21, 2021

Whole body imaging detects myeloma in more patients, treatment initiated earlier

Researchers from King's College London found that whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) detects more myeloma cases than traditional PET/CT tests. The study showed that WBMRI allowed for critical treatment to be initiated earlier in 24% of cases, resulting in improved patient outcomes.

SourceKing's College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJan 21, 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.

NASA mission to test technology for satellite swarms

A NASA mission will test technologies for satellite swarms to operate autonomously in low-Earth orbit, setting the stage for thousands of small satellites working cooperatively. The V-R3x mission will deploy three CubeSats into polar orbit, exchanging radio signals and measuring distance between satellites.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateJan 21, 2021
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Producing green hydrogen through the exposure of nanomaterials to sunlight

A research team has developed new nanostructured electrodes to split water molecules under sunlight, paving the way for efficient green hydrogen production. The electrodes, made with titanium dioxide and cobalt oxide, can absorb up to 50% of visible light and produce hydrogen through photocatalysis.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells·DateJan 21, 2021

Mechanism that produces rapid acceleration in clicking beetles identified

A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that clicking beetles use a unique hinge-like tool in their thorax to generate extreme accelerations, reaching 300 times the Earth's gravitational acceleration. The snap-through unbending motion enables the beetle to launch itself into the air and move quickly between locations.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2021

Rethink immigration policy for STEM doctorates

A new study from Cornell University and UC San Diego finds that international STEM doctoral students graduating from US universities face a complex and inefficient path to permanent residency, with most following a guest worker visa before obtaining a green card. The researchers argue that this process should be treated differently due...

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 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.

Strange colon discovery explains racial disparities in colorectal cancer

African-Americans are more likely to develop cancerous lesions on the right side and suffer from colorectal cancer at a younger age due to unique biological aging patterns. The research found that the right side of the colon in most African-Americans had suffered epigenetic changes contributing to their increased cancer risk.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 21, 2021

A display that completely blocks off counterfeits

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a switchable display device using nanostructures that can encrypt full-color images depending on the polarization of light. The device boasts high resolution (approximately 40,000 dpi) and wide viewing angle while being thin.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNanophotonics·DateJan 21, 2021

Why older adults must go to the front of the vaccine line

A new study suggests that prioritizing older adults for COVID-19 vaccination can save the most lives, with an estimated reduction of 23% in mortality rates over three months. The research also highlights the importance of a fast vaccine rollout and other public health measures to control the spread of the virus.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2021

COVID-19, influenza and suicide fuel increase in deaths among ICE detainees

A new USC study found that at least half of recent deaths in ICE custody were preventable, with COVID-19, influenza, and suicide contributing to the high death rate. Researchers call for improved infection control measures, access to quality psychiatric care, and suicide prevention efforts.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAIMS Public Health·DateJan 21, 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.

Hand sanitizer-induced ocular injury

A case of accidental hand sanitizer contact with the eyes resulted in severe ocular injury in one child. The authors describe two cases of such accidents and highlight the importance of proper hand hygiene practices to prevent such incidents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJan 21, 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.

Electron transfer discovery is a step toward viable grid-scale batteries

Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a significant breakthrough in electron transfer for grid-scale batteries, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective energy storage. The study found that bridging plays a critical role in improving the reaction rate of flow batteries.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJan 21, 2021

Study suggests coffee temporarily counteracts effect of sleep loss on cognitive function

A new study suggests that moderate coffee intake can help mitigate some repercussions of reduced sleep over a few days. The study found that caffeinated coffee drinkers showed better vigilance, alertness, and reaction-time compared to decaffeinated coffee drinkers during the initial three-to-four days of restricted sleep.

SourceKaizo·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2021

Antarctica: the ocean cools at the surface but warms up at depth

The study reveals a rapid warming of Southern Ocean waters to 800m depth, with temperatures increasing by 0.04°C per decade around the polar ice cap. Meanwhile, warm water is rising rapidly to the surface at a rate of 39m per decade, outpacing previous estimates.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 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.

How cells 'eat' their own fluid components

Researchers have unraveled the mechanisms of how cells capture and degrade fluid droplets through autophagy. The study reveals that a tug-of-war between the droplet's surface tension and the isolation membrane's bending energy governs this process, with the outcome determining whether a piece or complete droplet is captured.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 21, 2021