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Science News Archive January 2021 - Page 5


Page 5 of 40

A glimpse into the wardrobe of King David and King Solomon, 3000 years ago

Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar Ilan University discovered rare fabric dyed with royal purple dating back to King David and King Solomon's time. The dye was produced from species of mollusk found in the Mediterranean Sea and is often mentioned in the Bible.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 28, 2021

Sleep disorders: Patients often underestimate their total sleep time

A study by Karin Trimmel and Stefan Seidel found that insomnia patients are most likely to underestimate their actual sleep time, regardless of age or screening setting. The researchers analyzed polysomnography results and identified factors influencing this misperception.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJan 28, 2021

Machine-learning to predict the performance of organic solar cells

Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona have combined experimental data with algorithms to enable an unprecedented predicting capability of the performance of organic solar cells. The study uses a new experimental method to generate large datasets, which are then used to train machi...

SourceUniversitat Rovira i Virgili·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJan 28, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Otago study examines attitudes toward climate change risk

A University of Otago study found that while 74% of Americans are concerned about climate change, only 29% discuss lower carbon options when asked to describe future travel. The study suggests actively envisioning a sustainable future could lead to increased adoption of low-carbon systems and mitigate efforts.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 28, 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.

Baylor study: Management without morals can lead to employees' unethical behavior

A Baylor University study reveals that amoral management, where leaders fail to respond to ethical situations, leads to a lack of moral courage among employees and increased unethical behavior. Organizations can prevent this by providing clear messages on ethics and engaging supervisors in conversations with their team members.

SourceBaylor University·JournalHuman Relations·DateJan 28, 2021

Successful pilot study of time restricted eating weight loss plan

A pilot study of time restricted eating found that participants lost an average of 3.5kg over 12 weeks with almost 60% adhering to the plan at three months. The researchers suggest this weight loss approach could be a viable option for those struggling with obesity.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 28, 2021

Gender and spatial behavior

A Stanford study suggests that the increasingly gendered division of labor in human societies dramatically shaped how our species uses space and thinks about it. The research, published in Nature Human Behaviour, examines travel data from the Hadza people of Tanzania and finds that men and women occupy different worlds from a young age.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 28, 2021

Study reveals cause of common Zika virus birth defect

A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals how Zika virus causes brain calcification, a common birth defect associated with prenatal infection. The research team identified the proteins BMP2 and NS3 as central players in the development of calcifications, suggesting novel strategies to prevent this birth defect.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 28, 2021

Ship-track studies overstate cooling effect of anthropogenic aerosols

A new study published in Science reveals that ship-track data cannot be used to estimate the cooling effect of anthropogenic aerosols on climate change. The research highlights a significant bias in current aerosol-cloud forcing estimations and suggests alternatives for direct observation of aerosol effects.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 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.

Heparin targets coronavirus spike protein, research shows

Research finds heparin inhibits SARS-CoV2 virus spike protein, reducing its ability to attach and infect human cells. The study suggests inhaled unfractionated heparin could be a rapid treatment option for Covid-19 patients.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJan 28, 2021

Coronavirus was brought into Russia at least 67 times

Researchers analyzed 211 virus genomes and found nine local lineages circulating in Russia, not present elsewhere. The study suggests that the main channel of coronavirus 'import' was passenger traffic from European countries.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2021

Listening to the call of the wild: Tracking deer movements using sound

A novel technique uses synchronized recordings from grid-based listening stations to triangulate deer locations, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. The system has been successfully tested in Oze National Park, with accuracy of up to 15 meters.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalSensors·DateJan 28, 2021

Analysis reveals how china can help solve debt and environmental crises

China can alleviate debt burdens in exchange for debtor nation commitments to climate change mitigation and environmental protection. Countries like Angola, Cambodia, and the Solomon Islands show great promise for debt-for-nature swaps, while Senegal, Sudan, and Zimbabwe prioritize debt-for-climate swaps.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 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.

Metformin may affect risk of breast cancer in women with type 2 diabetes

A study of 44,541 women found that taking metformin to treat type 2 diabetes may protect against developing ER-positive breast cancer. However, the risk of triple negative breast cancer was increased by 74% among those treated with metformin. The link between type 2 diabetes and breast cancer varied by breast cancer subtype.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateJan 28, 2021

It's elemental: Ultra-trace detector tests gold purity

Researchers at PNNL develop new detection method for ultra-trace elements like uranium and thorium, allowing for precise measurement in valuable metals like gold. The technique enables detection limits as low as 10 parts per trillion in gold, revolutionizing the semiconductor industry and sensitive particle detection.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry·DateJan 28, 2021

Viral sequencing can reveal how SARS-CoV-2 spreads and evolves

Researchers emphasize the importance of viral sequencing in understanding the spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. The technique has enabled the identification of new variants of concern and insights into transmission routes, but challenges remain in collecting and integrating metadata for genetic analyses.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 2021

A high-resolution glimpse of gene expression in cells

Researchers at MIT have devised a way to label and sequence individual RNA molecules within a tissue sample, allowing for a unique snapshot of which genes are being expressed in different parts of a cell. This technique offers new insights into how gene expression is influenced by a cell's location or its interactions with nearby cells.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 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.

Neural network has learned to identify tree species

Researchers developed an algorithm to identify various tree species in satellite images, enabling efficient forest management and monitoring. The neural network-based approach improves accuracy and stability for practical application.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing·DateJan 28, 2021

How evolution can change science for the better

Researchers developed an agent-based model to analyze the priority rule in science, finding that excessive rewards for priority can lead to lower-quality research. However, reforms like scoop protection can help mitigate this issue. To further improve science, measures like preregistration and criticism of research plans can encourage ...

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 28, 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.

Understanding how genetic motifs conduct "the music of life"

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have found that genetic motifs, patterns and combinations of DNA's molecular building blocks, determine the quantity of gene expression. This discovery, using supercomputers and AI, could shed new light on cancer and improve pharmaceutical development.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2021

NRG Oncology study shows safety of adaptive RT in NSCLC patients

The NRG Oncology trial shows improved in-field tumor control with adaptive radiotherapy, increasing local-regional tumor control by 11% and primary tumor control by 17%. The study's results suggest individualizing radiotherapy dose prescriptions according to patient's intrinsic sensitivity for better survival outcomes.

SourceNRG Oncology·DateJan 28, 2021

Livestock workers face high MRSA risk

Research by Michigan State University finds that livestock workers are at high risk of acquiring antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The study highlights the importance of good hygiene practices and policies in minimizing the spread of livestock-associated MRSA.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 28, 2021

Marine heatwaves becoming more intense, more frequent

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that the ocean's surface layer is becoming shallower, making it easier to warm and increasing the likelihood of extreme marine heatwaves. This thinning can lead to drastic swings in ocean temperatures, threatening sensitive marine ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJan 28, 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.

Ancient proteins help track early milk drinking in Africa

Researchers analyzed ancient dental calculus from 41 individuals and found milk proteins in 8 individuals, dating back to 4,000-3,200 years ago. The study suggests that early African pastoralists consumed dairy products without the genetic adaptation for lactase persistence, possibly through fermentation.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2021

Forests with diverse tree sizes and small clearings hinder wildland fire growth

A new study published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire found that forests with diverse tree sizes and small clearings slow down wildland fire growth. The research used a 3D analysis to examine how forest structure affects fire behavior and revealed that varying tree sizes and shapes can significantly impact fire spread.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire·DateJan 27, 2021
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.

Schizophrenia second only to age as greatest risk factor for COVID-19 death

A new study finds that people with schizophrenia are almost three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without the mental disorder. The study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, shows that schizophrenia is the biggest risk factor for death after age, with a 2.7-fold increased odds of dying.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 27, 2021

IU researchers discover how breast cancer cells hide from immune attack

Breast cancer cells can evade immune attacks by increasing the level of protein MAL2 on their surface, leading to enhanced tumor growth. Targeting this action could improve immunotherapy for patients. Researchers identified MAL2 as a key protein and found that inhibiting it can almost completely stop tumor growth.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 27, 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.

Pace of prehistoric human innovation could be revealed by 'linguistic thermometer'

Researchers developed a powerful tool to map language development and human innovation over thousands of years, including pre-history. The 'linguistic thermometer' uses statistical physics to analyze the evolutionary dynamics of language, revealing how languages change over time.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJan 27, 2021

Ions in molten salts can go 'against the flow'

Researchers at Uppsala University used computer simulations to study ions in molten salts and found that they can interact and move in unexpected ways. The study's findings suggest that lighter anions like fluoride and chloride can be attracted to both lithium ions and the positive anode, leading to slower movement towards the cathode.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateJan 27, 2021

Children can bypass age verification procedures in popular social media apps

Researchers found that all ten apps permitted users under 16 to sign up if they provided an age of 16, highlighting the need for robust age verification mechanisms. The study recommends clarifying minimum age requirements, enabling restrictive privacy settings by default, and implementing ongoing age verification processes.

SourceLero·JournalIEEE Software·DateJan 27, 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.

Geological phenomenon widening the Atlantic Ocean

A team of seismologists has discovered a new mechanism driving the separation of the Atlantic plates, with evidence of an upwelling in the mantle from depths of over 600 km. This finding provides greater understanding of plate tectonics and its role in natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 2021

Even machines need their greens

A team of engineers has created a new material by infusing 3D printer ink with chloroplasts from spinach. This living material can be strengthened up to six times its original strength through photosynthesis and exhibits self-repairing properties.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2021

Cell death shines a light on the origins of complex life

Researchers find that nuclei, chloroplasts, and pyrenoids can persist for weeks and months after cell death in eukaryotic cells, challenging previous assumptions about their decay rate. This discovery helps to narrow the age range of complex life on Earth, suggesting its emergence around 1,700 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 27, 2021

Mammogram-based breast cancer risk model could lead to better screening guidelines

A new machine learning algorithm named Mirai estimates breast cancer risk in women more accurately than current models, identifying 41.5% of patients at risk within 5 years. The model was effective across various races and ethnicities, supporting its potential to inform screening guidelines for diverse populations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 27, 2021
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.

How blood stem cells maintain their lifelong potential for self-renewal

In mice, blood vessel cells produce factor that stimulates blood stem cells, maintaining their self-renewal capacity. However, production of this factor ceases with aging, leading to loss of self-renewal ability and weakening of the immune system.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2021

Challenges in COVID-19 vaccination

The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina hosts an international virtual panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccination challenges. Experts will address issues like equitable global allocation and vaccine effectiveness. The event aims to promote scientific dialogue among the international community.

SourceLeopoldina·DateJan 27, 2021

Genome-editing tool TALEN outperforms CRISPR-Cas9 in tightly packed DNA

Researchers have discovered that TALEN is up to five times more efficient than CRISPR-Cas9 in targeting densely packed DNA regions, including those causing fragile X syndrome and sickle cell anemia. This breakthrough adds to the need for a broader selection of genome-editing tools to target all parts of the genome.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2021

Healthy lifespan analysis using nematodes

Researchers at Kumamoto University created a new system to assess healthy lifespans in nematodes, which may help develop drugs and find foods that extend human lifespans. The system, C-LAS, uses images of living and dead nematodes to classify their health and longevity.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Sciences·DateJan 27, 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 Tel Aviv University study reveals 'Achilles' heel' of cancer cells

Researchers discovered that aneuploid cancer cells demonstrate heightened sensitivity to damage to the mitotic checkpoint, making them more susceptible to treatment. The study's findings suggest that using aneuploidy as a biological marker could help identify patients who will respond better to certain drugs.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 2021

Humanizing yeast ORC sheds light on cancer therapy and human development

Researchers have discovered a 19-amino acid insertion helix in the Orc4 subunit of yeast ORC that enables human-like DNA binding, transforming yeast into a humanized ORC. This finding provides new insights for cancer therapy and human development, including potential targets for anti-cancer drug screening.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2021

New study: Which beverages burst with umami potential?

A new study from University of Copenhagen researchers found that sake has the most umami flavor, followed by champagne and wine. The study also showed that pairing certain beverages with specific foods can enhance the umami flavor.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalFood Chemistry·DateJan 27, 2021
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.