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Science News Archive July 2021


Page 10 of 41

New insights into immune responses to malaria

Researchers used mass cytometry and machine learning to discover 'immune signatures' that differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria infections. The study found a previously unrecognised role for immune CD4 T cells in preventing serious disease and controlling asymptomatic infection.

Study shows environmental link to herbicide-resistant horseweed

A study by Michigan State University found that horseweed's growth type is influenced by environmental cues, with rosette plants emerging in response to temperature and photoperiod variations. Upright plants, resistant to glyphosate, are three- to four-fold less sensitive than their rosette siblings, making them harder to control.

What's riskier for young soccer players, practice or game time?

A new study found that young soccer players experience more frequent head impacts during practice, while game time may result in greater magnitude impacts. Technical training activities like heading the ball were associated with an average impact rate of 13.7 head impacts per player hour.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Using silicone wristbands to measure air quality

A study by Texas A&M researchers found that silicone wristbands can be used as passive samplers to measure exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy. The wristbands yielded similar results to traditional testing methods, suggesting they could be a useful tool in studies of semi-volatile pollutants.

Scientists identify five new plant species in Bolivia

Researchers have identified five new plant species in Bolivia's Bolivian Andes, expanding the genus Jacquemontia. The study highlights the importance of classifying and conserving these species, which are highly vulnerable to threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.

Perfecting collagen production in osteogenesis imperfecta

Scientists have discovered a way to replace mutated osteoblasts with healthy ones, leading to improved collagen production and potentially paving the way for a cure for brittle bone disease. The breakthrough could be translated to other forms of OI and bone diseases in the future.

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.

Rensselaer-designed platform could enable personalized immunotherapy

Researchers developed a 3D platform to study therapeutic combinations against cancer cells, allowing for rapid optimization of personalized immunotherapies. The platform demonstrated significant differences in treatment efficacy between 2D cell cultures and the 3D spheroid design.

Land repair vital for survival

The study highlights the importance of dryland restoration to mitigate climate change and reverse desertification, with seeding efforts showing promising results in nearly a third of treatments. However, the process is also fraught with risks, including high failure rates and declining species populations as projects mature.

Study shows cancer misinformation common on social media sites

A new study found that one-third of popular cancer treatment articles on social media contain misinformation, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. The vast majority of this misinformation garners more attention and engagement than evidence-based information.

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.

Scientists reverse age-related memory loss in mice

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Leeds successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice by manipulating the extracellular matrix of the brain. By restoring the balance of compounds known as chondroitin sulphates, they were able to restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits.

Characterized drugs show unexpected effects

Researchers identified bioactive substances that modulate cholesterol homeostasis, a common feature among many compounds. These findings suggest potential side effects of active substances and provide new insights into targeting cholesterol homeostasis, which may also impact SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Spotted: An exoplanet with the potential to form moons

Researchers at the Center for Astrophysics have detected a clear presence of a moon-forming region around exoplanet PDS 70c, one of two giant planets orbiting a star nearly 400 light-years away. The disk surrounding PDS 70c has enough mass to form up to three satellites the size of the Moon.

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.

Tulane spin-out company to develop new treatment for pelvic organ prolapse

BioAesthetics Corp., a Tulane University spin-out company, has received a $256,000 grant to develop a novel graft for treating pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The graft, strengthened with biodegradable polymers, will be tested in Kristin Miller's lab to compare its elasticity and strength to normal tissue.

Prosocial behavior improves student outcomes, reduces teacher stress and burnout

Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia use $4 million in grants to connect with 200 middle school teachers through ECHO platform, aiming to improve student outcomes and reduce teacher stress. Prosocial education practices, including kindness, empathy and internal praise, are found to positively impact student behavior.

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 insight on the reproductive evolution of land plants

A study published in Nature Plants reveals a comprehensive atlas of gene expression data from ten different species of land plants. The analysis identified novel and missing components involved in the formation of sex organs and cells, showing that many groups of genes emerged through the repurpose of existing genetic material. The tea...

Palaeontology: Newly-hatched pterosaurs may have been able to fly

Researchers found that hatchling pterosaur wings were stronger than those of many adult pterosaurs, suggesting they could fly. Their wing dimensions were also more suited for agility and quick changes in direction, possibly allowing them to escape predators and catch nimbler prey.

Eco-friendly plastic from cellulose and water

Göttingen University researchers have developed a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi) that can be molded using little more than water at everyday temperature and pressure. The bioplastic exhibits high quality mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications.

Clever cockatoos learn through social interaction

Researchers have proven that cockatoos learn to lift garbage bin lids through social interaction and observation. The study shows that birds adapt innovative techniques to access food resources, highlighting the emergence of regional subcultures among urban bird species.

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.

Unlocking genetic clues behind aortic aneurysm

A new study reveals that the TCF7L2 gene plays a key role in smooth muscle cell death and replenishment, potentially reducing aortic aneurysm risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,300 individuals with aortic aneurysms and found a significant genetic link to the disease.

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.

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.

Visualizing a city's energy use

A new model estimates annual energy use intensity of 209 structures in Pittsburgh with only a 7% error rate. The Urban Building Energy Model can aid policy makers in setting energy goals and efficiency regulations for commercial buildings.

New insights into uncontrolled inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Researchers discovered how protective molecules like SPM are altered in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that increasing these molecules could limit inflammation and disease severity. The study also found that dexamethasone increased SPM production, improving white blood cell function and reducing inflammation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

NIH awards more than $20 million to international HIV database centers

The NIH has renewed grants for seven regional IeDEA centers, awarding $20.8 million in funding to analyze health data from over 2 million people with HIV. The program aims to accelerate progress toward ending the pandemic by addressing local, national, and global questions about illness and death in people with HIV.

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.

Cell-analysis technique could combat tuberculosis

Researchers developed a cutting-edge method to analyze how individual immune cells respond to Mtb, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The study found an almost perfect correlation between the fitness status of the bacterium and the transcriptional profile in the host cell.

COVID-19: Patients with malnutrition may be more likely to have severe outcomes

A study published in Scientific Reports found that patients with a history of malnutrition are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death and mechanical ventilation. The research suggests that public health interventions targeting malnutrition may help mitigate this increased risk, particularly among older adults.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Doctoral student bridges gap between electronics and optics

A doctoral student at Texas A&M University has designed a chip that can revolutionize data rate for processors by utilizing photons. The chip operates at higher speeds with higher data rates compared to previous generation of chips, and is capable of reaching nearly five times the bandwidth.

Exploring how air pollution in indoor spaces affects human health

Researchers will investigate how air pollutants in indoor spaces, such as homes and schools, affect children with asthma and people living in urban homes. A new platform will be developed to rank the toxicity of common air pollutants and establish links with neurological disease.

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.

Largest-ever type 1 diabetes genetic study IDs potential treatment targets

A large-scale genetic study has identified new drug targets to treat type 1 diabetes by examining 61,427 participants and pinpointing 78 regions on the chromosomes that influence risk. The researchers found 36 previously unknown regions and specific gene variations that can be used to identify potential drug targets.