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Science News Archive January 2021 - Page 38


Page 38 of 40

Protecting the global food supply chain

A new study published in Nature Food investigated how to ensure the food supply chain functions under environmental disruptions, highlighting key areas for future research. The researchers identified the need to understand the shape of a supply chain, evaluate simultaneous shocks, and quantify substitutions within supply chains.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Food·DateJan 5, 2021

Integrator: A guardian of the human transcriptome

The Integrator protein complex plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression by terminating non-productive transcription. This mechanism ensures the production of wasteful transcripts is limited while maintaining thousands of transcription start sites for potential functional genes.

SourceAarhus University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 5, 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.

Anticoagulants reduce the number of brain metastases in mice

Researchers found that cancer cells promote blood clot formation to enter the brain tissue. Inhibiting clotting factors thrombin and von Willebrand factor reduced brain metastases in mice. The study suggests targeting this process with drugs for preventing brain metastases in high-risk patients.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalBlood·DateJan 5, 2021

ADDF presents vision of a consortium to accelerate research into speech and language biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease

A global research consortium is proposed to collect and share digital speech and language data to detect early signs of Alzheimer's. The consortium aims to create a comprehensive, harmonized repository of samples from diverse cohorts to develop biomarkers that can monitor disease progression.

SourceAlzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation·JournalExploration of Medicine·DateJan 5, 2021

Retracted scientific paper persists in new citations, study finds

A study found that a retracted clinical trial report continues to be cited 11 years after its retraction, and citations actually increased after it was retracted. The number of articles retracted is tiny compared to publications, but retractions are often hard to find, and notices may not mention the reason for retraction.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScientometrics·DateJan 5, 2021

AI algorithms detect diabetic eye disease inconsistently

Researchers tested seven AI screening algorithms against expert ophthalmologists and found that most perform poorly in real-world settings, highlighting the need for proper image quality and training data. Only one algorithm matched human screener performance.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJan 5, 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.

HKUST Researchers Discover a Novel Mechanism of Recruiting Arf Family Proteins to specific subcellular localizations

The study reveals that N-terminal amphipathic motifs of certain Arf proteins determine their specific subcellular localization in a GTP-independent manner. This uncoupling of membrane association and activation may provide new insights for targeting proteins to specific intracellular locations.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 5, 2021

NSF funds a robot teleoperation system that could transform the manufacturing workforce

Researchers at Columbia University are developing a novel platform to enable factory workers to work remotely using a robot teleoperation system. The system will allow workers to specify high-level task goals without expert knowledge of the robot hardware and configuration, enabling greater job access for workers regardless of geograph...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateJan 5, 2021

Bedside EEG test can aid prognosis in unresponsive brain injury patients

A new study suggests that a bedside EEG test can aid in prognosis for unresponsive brain injury patients by measuring their response to speech. The strength of these responses is correlated with the patient's outcome and can help clinicians make effective treatment decisions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJan 5, 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.

Evolving the surgical microscope

The article reviews the development of surgical microscopes, from their introduction in 1921 to the latest advancements. Advanced technologies such as augmented reality displays, hyperspectral imaging, and robotic visualization platforms are increasing the capabilities of surgical microscopes. These improvements enable better visualiza...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 5, 2021

Dungeness crab fishing industry response to climate shock

Researchers studied the impact of a marine heatwave-associated harmful algal bloom on Dungeness crab fishing communities. They found that 71% of vessels temporarily left the industry, but those who adapted by participating in other fisheries or moving to more favorable locations were better resilient.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2021

Making therapeutic sense of antisense oligonucleotides

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) target disease-causing proteins, but can affect non-targeted proteins causing side effects. Researchers have developed a DNA/DNA double-stranded oligonucleotide that enhances ASO efficacy and stability in the body.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateJan 5, 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.

Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective

A new UCL study found that combining heat treatment with chemotherapy delivered via magnetic nanoparticles killed cancer cells more effectively than chemotherapy alone. The therapy showed synergistic effects, enhancing the effectiveness of both treatments when combined. Heat treatment can reduce side effects by targeting only cancer ce...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B·DateJan 5, 2021

New clues to prostate cancer

Australian researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which prostate cancer cells can adapt and evolve into more aggressive forms, making them resistant to treatment. The study highlights the importance of targeting microRNA-194 to slow down and inhibit the growth of prostate cancer models with neuroendocrine features.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 5, 2021

Research news tip sheet: Story ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine has uncovered that greater obesity seems to make muscle contraction much weaker in this very common form of heart failure. The study found that in patients with severe obesity, the force response to high calcium was reduced by 40%, suggesting that obesity is the key factor.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateJan 5, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Experts agree on new global definition of 'fermented foods'

Experts have agreed on a new global definition of fermented foods, specifying the differences between them and probiotics. The definition covers thousands of different types of fermented foods from around the world and provides a starting point for further research into their effects on human health.

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalNature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateJan 5, 2021

Gum disease-causing bacteria borrow growth molecules from neighbors to thrive

A new study reveals that periodontitis-causing bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis borrows growth molecules from harmless Veillonella parvula, enabling its replication and causing gum disease. The relationship is one-directional, with V. parvula receiving no obvious benefit from sharing its growth molecules.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJan 5, 2021

Hotels that promote women perceived as fairer, less discriminatory

Research suggests hotel companies that promote a woman over an equally qualified man are perceived as fairer and less discriminatory, leading to a stronger organizational culture and higher financial performance. The study found that women account for only 12% of all hotel leadership positions, despite making up the majority of the acc...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management·DateJan 5, 2021

Advanced materials in a snap

A Sandia Labs research team used machine learning to complete materials science calculations 42,000 times faster than normal, accelerating the creation of new technologies for optics, aerospace, and energy storage.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateJan 5, 2021

Sweat, bleach and gym air quality

A new University of Colorado Boulder study found that exercising individuals emit up to five times more chemicals from their body than sedentary people, which combine with bleach cleaners to form unknown airborne chemicals. The team detected a specific reaction product, N-chloraldimines, in gym air, raising concerns about indoor air qu...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalIndoor Air·DateJan 5, 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.

Looking forwards rather than backwards safeguards wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdowns

Researchers at the University of Surrey found that practicing gratitude and thinking about a positive future can improve social connectedness and overall wellbeing. The study suggests that focusing on the present moment and appreciating what is good in life can be more psychologically beneficial than dwelling on the past.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalThe Journal of Positive Psychology·DateJan 5, 2021

Mechanophores: Making polymer crystallization processes crystal clear

Scientists have developed a new method to observe polymer crystallization in real-time, allowing for direct measurement of the rate, extent, and location of crystal growth. This breakthrough enables manufacturers to test polymer materials for specific mechanical properties during crystallization.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 5, 2021

Impurities boost performance of organic solar cells

Organic solar cells have improved efficiency by up to 18.3% with the use of diquat, a molecular dopant created through electrochemical reduction. This breakthrough increases optical absorption and charge lifetime, paving the way for more efficient energy conversion.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateJan 5, 2021

Non-immigrant kids respond differently when immigrant children are bullied

A study by North Carolina State University found that non-immigrant adolescents object less to bullying when the victim is an immigrant, but more strongly with increased contact and higher Theory of Mind scores. The researchers also discovered that positive interactions between groups can encourage kids to intervene in bullying.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChild Development·DateJan 5, 2021

Viewing upper gastrointestinal cancers in a new light

Researchers developed a novel endoscopic technique, Linked Color Imaging (LCI), to improve detection of cancer in the upper digestive tract. LCI technology enhances contrast of mucosal changes by combining specific wavelengths of light, detecting neoplastic changes 1.67 times more frequently than conventional White Light Imaging.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 5, 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.

COVID-19 unmasked: math model suggests optimal treatment strategies

Researchers developed a biology-based mathematical model that incorporates information about SARS-CoV-2 and various treatments. The model suggests optimal treatment for older patients and those with pre-existing conditions, including the use of clot-preventing drugs and immune response-modifying drugs.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·DateJan 5, 2021

COVID-19 generally 'mild' in young children: Evidence review

A systematic review of international COVID-19 literature found that young children under five years old generally develop mild disease and are often asymptomatic. The study also highlights the potential risk of transmission from infants to mothers, caregivers, and other family members.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalVaccine·DateJan 5, 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.

Identifying Canada's key conservation hot spots highlights problem

A recent study identifies Canada's most critical areas for ecosystem services, including freshwater, carbon storage, and nature-based recreation. The research highlights the need to protect these areas from human activities that threaten their conservation.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 5, 2021

In sight: A paradigm shift in materials characterization

Lehigh University researchers are transforming an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) into a synchrotron facility, expanding scientists' ability to characterize material composition and bonding status down to the single-atom level. The new system will have capabilities up to ~13,000 eV and enable the i...

SourceLehigh University·DateJan 5, 2021

Natural products with potential efficacy against lethal viruses

Researchers have broken down the genomic and life history traits of three classes of RNA viruses, identifying natural products that could disrupt their spread. The study highlights potential treatment strategies, including the use of compounds produced by marine and terrestrial organisms with demonstrated antiviral activity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Natural Products·DateJan 5, 2021

Hamilton Eye Institute receives $300,000 RPB Challenge Grant

The Hamilton Eye Institute at University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received a $300,000 RPB Challenge Grant to continue its vision research initiatives. The grant will support the expansion of research faculty, innovative pilot studies, and new equipment for the institute's research efforts.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center·DateJan 5, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

University of Miami leads groundbreaking trial for COVID-19 treatment

Researchers found that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell infusions safely reduce the risk of death and quicken recovery time for severe COVID-19 patients. Patient survival at one month was 91% in the treatment group versus 42% in the control group.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateJan 5, 2021

A plant's way to its favorite food

Researchers found that Arabidopsis seedlings adapted by increasing cell division and reducing cell elongation on ammonium, but reversed this balance on nitrate. The key hormone auxin regulated the balance between cell proliferation and cell expansion.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJan 5, 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 agree: Universe is nearly 14 billion years old

Astronomers have estimated the universe's age to be nearly 14 billion years old using data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and the European Space Agency's Planck satellite. The findings match the predictions of the standard model of the universe, resolving a discrepancy that had sparked debate in the astrophysics community.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateJan 4, 2021

Surprising news: drylands are not getting drier

A new study finds that soil moisture exerts a negative feedback on surface water availability in drylands, offsetting some of the expected decline. This means that as soil moisture decreases, it can reduce evapotranspiration and enhance surface warming, leading to more frequent droughts and floods.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 4, 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.

A high order for a low dimension

Scientists have created a new material, a higher-order topological insulator, which confines electrons to one dimension, enabling the creation of ultra-high-speed and low-power devices. This innovation has significant implications for spintronics, a field that may replace traditional electronic systems in the future.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 4, 2021

Microbial-based tools to combat COVID-19

Experts discuss microbial-based solutions to combat COVID-19, including vaccine candidates and production platforms. The webinar explores learnings from vaccine development, innovative approaches to address systemic inflammation.

SourceEngineering Conferences International·DateJan 4, 2021

Alert system shows potential for reducing deforestation, mitigating climate change

A new satellite-based program, GLAD, has shown promise in reducing deforestation in African nations by 18% and offering carbon sequestration benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The system delivers alerts to subscribers via the interactive web application, Global Forest Watch, enabling them to take action to save forests.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 4, 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.

New data-driven global climate model provides projections for urban environments

A new data-driven global climate model projects significant urban heat stress and reduced relative humidity in cities by the end of this century. The study's findings emphasize the need for local urban climate projections to support city planners' adaptation strategies, such as green infrastructure interventions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 4, 2021

Scrambled supersolids

Scientists discovered a way to create supersolids using ultracold quantum gases, a state that exhibits both crystalline order and particle flow. The researchers found that by draining the superfluid bath, the droplets lose communication and behave like independent systems, but can be revived by replenishing the bath.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 4, 2021

Parents' finances differently affected by having a child diagnosed with cancer

A study by Uppsala University found that parents of children diagnosed with cancer are differently financially affected. In contrast to previous research, which showed that mothers were more affected than fathers, this study reveals that fathers experience negative long-term effects on their income and employment.

SourceUppsala University·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJan 4, 2021

Super surfaces

The development of programmable metasurfaces at Princeton University has the potential to significantly increase data transmission rates in wireless systems. The technology uses terahertz waves to focus transmissions in specific directions, overcoming challenges such as obstacles and distance limitations. This breakthrough could enable...

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Electronics·DateJan 4, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

New clues on why pregnancy may increase risk of organ transplant rejection

A recent study found that pregnancy causes the immune system to become sensitized to transplanted organs, particularly those from the father of the child, while becoming tolerant to the fetus. This paradoxical effect increases the risk of transplant rejection.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 4, 2021