Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2021 - Page 36


Page 36 of 40

A third of US families face a different kind of poverty

A third of US households with children are 'net worth poor,' lacking enough financial resources to sustain their families for three months at a poverty level. The study found that Black and Latino families were twice as likely to experience net worth poverty than have poverty-level incomes.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJan 6, 2021

Physicists observe competition between magnetic orders

Researchers at the University of Bonn used ultracold atoms to study magnetic orders in coupled thin films, finding that correlations competed with original order. The study provides new insights into novel quantum phenomena and their potential applications in quantum computing and superconductors.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2021

Cattle grazing and soybean yields

A recent study by Morgan Grabau found that cattle grazing on corn residue in the spring can increase soybean yields and minimize soil compaction. Contrary to initial concerns, the team discovered that even high-intensity grazing did not significantly affect subsequent crop growth.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateJan 6, 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.

When Uber and Lyft enter cities, vehicle ownership increases

Ridesourcing companies Uber and Lyft's arrival in cities leads to a significant increase in vehicle ownership, with car registrations per capita rising by 0.7% on average. This effect is more pronounced in car-dependent cities and areas with higher income and fewer children, where transit use also decreases.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·DateJan 6, 2021

New review says the ineffective 'learning styles' theory persists in education

A new review by Swansea University reveals that the 'learning styles' theory, which advises matching teaching to students' supposed learning styles, persists despite being ineffective and potentially harmful. The study found that nearly 90% of educators worldwide believe in the efficacy of learning styles.

SourceSwansea University·JournalFrontiers in Education·DateJan 6, 2021

An epidemic of overdiagnosis: Melanoma diagnoses sky rocket

Increased diagnostic scrutiny is linked to rapid rise in melanoma diagnoses, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Melanoma incidence has doubled among adults 65 and older over the past two decades, despite stable mortality rates.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 6, 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.

Common drug may protect hearts from damage caused by breast cancer chemotherapy

Researchers at UHN's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre found statins to be effective in reducing the risk of heart failure in women treated for early breast cancer. The study showed that taking statins was associated with a 55% lower risk of hospitalization or emergency department visits for heart failure.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJan 6, 2021

Old silicon learns new tricks

Scientists at NAIST create arrays of isosceles silicon pyramids with flat facet planes, achieving ultrafine 3D shape control. Coating the pyramids with a thin layer of iron imparts unique magnetic properties.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateJan 6, 2021

How to talk about death and dying

A new study by palliative care specialists found that participants in an online course could use more pleasant words to express their feelings about death. The course aimed to change perspectives on death and dying, enabling better planning for end-of-life care.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 6, 2021

Long-term study finds dozens of new genetic markers associated with lifetime bone growth

A long-term study has discovered dozens of new genetic markers associated with bone mineral accrual, which could help identify causes of osteoporosis earlier in life through genetic testing. The findings suggest that risk of fractures occurring later in life may be identifiable in childhood and could lead to tailored interventions.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalGenome Biology·DateJan 6, 2021

Mighty morphing 3D printing

Researchers at UMD developed a morphing nozzle to control fiber orientation during composite additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of materials with on-demand properties. This innovation could lead to new biomedical and defense applications for 3D printed fiber-filled composites.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJan 6, 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.

Modern microbes provide window into ancient ocean

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered a link between ancient cyanobacteria and the Great Oxygenation Event. The study suggests that these single-celled organisms played a crucial role in transforming the planet's chemistry, producing oxygen gas that paved the way for life on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 6, 2021

How market incumbents can navigate disruptive technology change

Industry incumbents face difficult choices during technological disruption, such as cannibalizing successful offerings or investing in both. The study's generalized model can capture variations in adopter segments, including leapfroggers, switchers, opportunists, and dual users, to estimate cannibalization and coexistence.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJan 6, 2021

The world's first integrated quantum communication network

The team has established a quantum key distribution system over a total distance of 4,600 kilometers for users across China. The system uses trusted relays, ground-based fiber networks, and satellite-to-ground links to achieve unhackable encryption for secure information transfer.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 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.

Detecting CRISPR/Cas gene doping

Researchers have developed a method to detect Cas9 protein, a key component of CRISPR/Cas gene editing technology, in human plasma and mouse models. This breakthrough aims to identify athletes who may be using gene doping to gain an unfair advantage.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJan 6, 2021

In changing oceans, sea stars may be 'drowning'

A new study suggests that sea star wasting disease is caused by a lack of oxygen, as elevated microbial activity depletes the water's oxygen levels. This creates a hypoxic environment that surrounds the starfish, leading to respiratory distress and ultimately, their death.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJan 6, 2021

Identifying strategies to advance research on traumatic brain injury's effect on women

A NIH-supported workshop reveals gaps in knowledge about the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in women, including sex-based differences in outcomes and responses to treatment. Research opportunities include imaging studies, examination of brain tissue, and longitudinal studies on military-related TBI in female servicemembers.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateJan 6, 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.

Communities and communication

The event aims to explore connections, camaraderie, and visibility within digital communities, considering their development, growth, and real-world interactions. The conference features keynote speakers, special guests, and a wide range of submissions from various media forms.

SourceStaffordshire University·DateJan 6, 2021

Neuronal circuits for fine motor skills

A study published in Nature reveals that a specific region of the brainstem is responsible for various fine motor activities of the forelimbs. The researchers used optogenetic and viral methods to mark neurons and observe their activity, identifying four neuronal subpopulations correlated with specific functions.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research finds ginger counters certain autoimmune diseases in mice

Research found that ginger's 6-gingerol lowers autoantibody production and helps halt disease progression in mice with antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus. The compound prevents neutrophil extracellular trap release, triggering autoantibodies and inflammation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJCI Insight·DateJan 6, 2021

A better pen-and-ink system for drawing flexible circuits

Scientists have developed inexpensive conductive inks for clog-free ballpoint pens that can draw flexible electronic circuits on a variety of textures and even rough or irregular surfaces. The new ink composition provides stable and smooth writing performance, releasing no harmful gases during use.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·DateJan 6, 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.

The biggest chemistry stories of 2020

The novel coronavirus was a major focus of chemistry research in 2020, with thousands of papers published on mask efficacy, disinfectants and virus transmission. Other notable topics included new insights into planetary atmospheres and the impact of climate change on wildfires.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 6, 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.

Toxin chimeras slip therapeutics into neurons to treat botulism in animals

Researchers have created non-toxic versions of botulinum neurotoxins that can deliver therapeutic antibodies to neurons, reversing paralysis within hours. The toxin derivatives offer a promising approach to treat established cases of botulism and target hard-to-reach molecules.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 6, 2021

UCI study first to link disparities and 'pharmacy deserts' in California

A UCI study links pharmacy deserts in Los Angeles County to social determinants of health, such as poverty and crime rates. The study found that communities with limited pharmacy access often have higher rates of Latino and Black residents, lower vehicle ownership, and greater poverty.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateJan 6, 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.

'Sniffing out' fruity thiols in hoppy beers

Scientists have created an automated process to analyze thiols at very low concentrations in beer, shedding light on the compounds responsible for hoppy flavors. The new method uses tandem mass spectrometry and meets requirements for detecting thiols while processing samples in a safer and quicker manner.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 6, 2021

Dual smoking and vaping doesn't cut cardiovascular risk: Boston University study

A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health found that vaping does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease when used in conjunction with cigarette smoking. In fact, dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes may be as harmful to cardiovascular health as exclusive cigarette smoking.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateJan 6, 2021

Designer protein patches boost cell signaling

Researchers designed proteins to form honeycomb structures that block uptake of receptors from cell surfaces. This discovery could enable new materials for modulating cell behavior and treating diseases such as sepsis, COVID-19, heart disease, and diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2021

Resist the resistance: fighting the good fight against bacteria

Researchers develop peptide that disrupts protective outer coating of TB pathogen, making it susceptible to antibiotics and die. The peptide specifically targets the fatty acid on the pathogen's surface, allowing it to effectively kill the bacteria without harming good bacteria.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 6, 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.

The revelation of the crustal geometry of the western Qilian Mountains, NE Tibetan Plateau

The study provides a detailed understanding of the crustal deformation mechanism in the western Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The researchers discovered a decoupled crustal deformation with intra-crustal decollement layers, which reveals the Asian lithospheric mantle being underthrust beneath the region.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateJan 6, 2021

Shiga toxin's not supposed to kill you

Shiga toxin, produced by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), is thought to be a killer of host cells, but new research suggests it may actually be designed to dampen the immune system instead. This unexpected role could lead to breakthroughs in treating deadly kidney disease and bloody diarrhea caused by EHEC infections.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScience Immunology·DateJan 6, 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.

Living alone may increase risk of dying after hip fracture

A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that living alone after experiencing a hip fracture may further elevate this risk. Living alone was associated with a 37% higher risk of death in men and a 23% higher risk in women, compared to those living with a partner.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJan 6, 2021

The link between opioid medication and pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found a potential link between opioid use and increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The study, which analyzed data from 1999-2016, suggests that opioid consumption may be an unidentified risk factor contributing to the rising incidence of pancreatic cancer in the US.

SourceRush University Medical Center·DateJan 6, 2021

How Earth's oddest mammal got to be so bizarre

Researchers mapped the platypus genome to understand its evolution, discovering that it carries genes from a common ancestor with birds and reptiles. The study found that platypuses lay eggs due to retained vitellogenin genes, produce milk through sweat, and have venomous spurs.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 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.

Businesses stand to benefit from sustainable restructuring

A new study by NTNU finds that sustainable innovation has a positive effect on companies' competitiveness, with 64 of 100 articles concluding that it has a positive impact. The study also highlights that innovation and sustainability often lead to increased value creation, reduced costs, and new business opportunities.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateJan 6, 2021

Protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 could last eight months or more

A new study found that COVID-19 survivors have immune cells necessary to fight re-infection, with virus-specific antibodies and memory B cells persisting in the bloodstream. This suggests that people may have protective immunity against serious disease for at least eight months after infection.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2021

Solo seniors with cognitive impairment hit hard by pandemic

A recent study by UCSF-led researchers highlights the devastating impact of the pandemic on 4.3 million older adults with cognitive impairment living alone. These individuals experience extreme isolation, misinformation, and barriers to accessing medical care, leading to increased distress and negative health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateJan 6, 2021

A new approach to study autoimmune diseases

Researchers update current research focus from 'immune-centric-only' view to better understand autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The study identifies common gene expression changes at target tissues, highlighting the importance of studying both immune system and target tissues.

SourceIndiana Biosciences Research Institute·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJan 6, 2021

Researchers discover how a bio-pesticide works against spider mites

A bio-pesticide made from safflower and cottonseed oils has been found to work against two-spotted spider mites by preventing their embryo from rotating within its eggshell for hatching. This allows the pesticide to spare the mites' natural predators, making it a promising eco-friendly solution for farmers and gardeners.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalEngineering in Life Sciences·DateJan 6, 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.

The Lancet Planetary Health: Meeting India's air quality targets across south Asia may prevent 7% of pregnancy losses, modelling study estimates

A modelling study suggests that pregnant women in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, exposed to poor air quality, are at higher risk of stillbirths and miscarriages. The study estimated 349,681 pregnancy losses per year associated with exposure to PM2.5 concentrations exceeding India's air quality standard.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJan 6, 2021