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Science News Archive January 2021 - Page 9


Page 9 of 40
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2021

TGen-led study results suggest more accurate diagnostic for breast cancer

A TGen-led study has developed a test to detect infinitesimally small breast cancer biomarkers in blood samples, improving detection accuracy. The test uses a highly specific protein signature to identify the earliest stages of breast cancer with no false positives.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceTheiss Research·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCell·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateJan 26, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists identify flank instability at a volcano with history of collapse

Researchers have developed a method to detect flank instability in volcanoes using satellite images, revealing surface deformation related to flank motion at Pacaya volcano. The technique provides finer detail of volcanic flank motion and can reveal upticks in the rate that creep is occurring.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Medical Engineering & Technology·DateJan 26, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Business Venturing·DateJan 26, 2021

New research: Monitoring online posts by consumers could help improve food safety

Researchers propose a Food Safety Monitoring System that uses text mining to analyze consumer comments on websites, flagging products associated with food-related illnesses. The system was tested on Amazon reviews and IWasPoisoned.com data, identifying specific brands of protein bars and herbal teas as high-risk products.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·DateJan 26, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

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.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCurrent Zoology·DateJan 26, 2021

Ludwig Cancer Research study reveals how certain gut bacteria compromise radiotherapy

Researchers found that two families of gut bacteria interfere with radiotherapy in mice, reducing the effectiveness of treatment. The study identified a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate as the key compound responsible for this effect, which interferes with the activation of cytotoxic T cells and dendritic cells.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·DateJan 26, 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.

Autistic kids may have a harder time recognizing healthy vs. toxic arguments

A new study suggests autistic children may react more negatively to constructive parent conflicts, missing opportunities for learning healthy conflict resolution. Researchers recommend teaching autistic children to distinguish between destructive and constructive conflicts.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Paleontology·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 26, 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.

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2021

Researchers develop virus-based treatment platform to fight pancreatic cancer

Researchers have created a powerful therapeutic platform using a modified virus to treat pancreatic cancer. The treatment, which combines the virus with other drugs, remodels the tumour microenvironment and sensitizes tumours to immunotherapy, significantly extending survival in preclinical models.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateJan 26, 2021

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.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJan 25, 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.

Doctoral student leads paleoclimate study of precipitation and sea ice in Arctic Alaska

A recent study led by a doctoral candidate in Arctic Alaska reveals the interconnectedness of the Arctic and North Pacific on multimillennial timescales, with implications for future climate change. The research demonstrates that reduced sea ice results in isotopically heavier precipitation derived from proximal Arctic moisture sources.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2021

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.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateJan 25, 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.