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Science News Archive July 2021


Page 11 of 41

Infrared held in a pincer

Scientists have created the first chromium complex that emits light in the longer wavelength NIR-II range, a significant breakthrough for biomedical imaging. This achievement is expected to lead to cheaper alternatives for luminescence-based applications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

InSight mission: Mars unveils its inner structures

The InSight mission has successfully mapped the internal structure of Mars using seismic waves detected by the SEIS instrument. The analysis revealed an estimate of the core size, crust thickness and mantle structure, providing valuable information on the planet's formation and thermal evolution.

Journey from smoking to vaping variable - Otago academics

A University of Otago study found that people attempting to switch from cigarettes to vaping reported highly varied smoking and ENDS use patterns. The researchers recommend that individuals persist in their attempts to transition away from smoking, even if progress feels slow and uncertain.

Expenses for university R&D&I increase moderately in Spain

Spain's university R&D&I expenses have increased moderately, driven by growing public spending on teaching staff, which rose from €5.55B in 2012 to €6.51B in 2019. The IUNE Observatory reports a surge in scientific production and international funding, with the top universities in Spain attracting significant research grants.

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.

Archaeology: Roman road discovered in the Venice lagoon

Researchers have discovered a Roman road submerged in the Venice Lagoon, indicating potential permanent settlement and connections to wider Italian Veneto Region. The findings suggest that the road may have been used by travellers and sailors, providing new insights into ancient trade routes.

InSight mission: Mars unveiled

The InSight mission has unveiled Mars' internal structure, revealing a large liquid core and an altered crust. The study analyzed seismic waves from over 600 Martian quakes, identifying discontinuities in the crust and determining the upper mantle's structure.

$1M NASA grant to improve carbon monitoring in East Africa

A $1 million NASA grant supports the development of a new carbon monitoring system for East Africa, which combines satellite data with ecological modeling to quantify regional carbon stocks and fluxes. The system aims to improve climate mitigation efforts and inform food-security policies.

Neurotransmitter levels predict math ability

Researchers found that higher GABA levels in young people were associated with greater math fluency, while lower glutamate levels were related to better math skills. In adults, the opposite was true: low GABA concentrations were linked to greater math fluency and high glutamate levels to poorer performance.

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.

Silicon with a two-dimensional structure

Scientists successfully produce and characterize a crystalline complex with a two-dimensional equivalent of silicon, defying geometric expectations. The resulting structure displays surprising physical and chemical properties, opening up new avenues for catalysis and materials research.

Surrey builds AI to find anti-ageing chemical compounds

A University of Surrey AI model predicts compound properties that promote healthy ageing, identifying flavonoids, fatty acids, and organooxygens as promising candidates. The discovery paves the way for pharmaceutical innovations targeting age-related diseases.

Global approach is needed on battery regulation

Experts from European and US universities warn that new EU battery regulations could hinder the global transition to electric vehicles if not implemented globally. The researchers argue that a coordinated, global approach is needed to make the supply chain predictable and powerful.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

"Missing self" contributes to organ rejection after transplantation

A study of 924 kidney transplantations reveals that natural killer cells play a major role in organ rejection, leading to improved risk assessment and potential new treatments for kidney transplant rejection. The findings suggest genotyping donors and recipients for MHC and KIR proteins can help predict rejection.

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.

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers wins AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers, an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, has been awarded the AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award. She is recognized for her efforts to bridge the gap between clinical profession and scientific advances in dentofacial variation research.

Sharks, lies, and videotape: Scientists document problems with Shark Week

A recent analysis reveals that Shark Week prioritizes sensationalism over scientific accuracy, with hosts relying on unproven methods and making false statements about shark biology. Researchers suggest improving diversity in expert representation and factually accurate storytelling to boost the program's credibility.

Drought changes rice root microbiome

Research finds that drought changes the community of microbes living in rice plant roots, allowing them to tap deeper water sources after dry spells. This 'memory' of drought enables plants to grow more resilient roots, reducing crop losses in a changing climate.

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.

Mars: Scientists determine crustal thickness

Researchers have determined the crustal thickness of Mars for the first time, with values ranging from 20 to 39 kilometers. This independent measurement allows for a precise map of the planet's crust across its entire surface.

Pathogens get comfy in designer goo

Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine researchers have developed a new model for studying intestinal infections, using custom hydrogel-based platforms. The study found that softer hydrogels promote bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases.

A rock with many perspectives

Scientists investigate the Alum Shale rock to reconstruct processes of oil and gas formation, identify possible traces of past life on Mars, and explore its potential as a site for nuclear waste disposal.

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.

Informing policy for long-term global food security

A new IIASA-led study assesses future global food security projections, finding food demand will increase by 35-56% over 2010-2050, mainly due to population growth. To prevent environmental impacts, policymakers must develop long-term measures, including stimulating inclusive growth.

The anatomy of a planet

Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.

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.

What makes a market transaction morally repugnant?

Researchers found five aspects underlie feelings of repugnance: moral outrage, regulation desire, monetary value translation, exploitation concern, and seller risk exposure. Transactions triggering strong repugnance often require policy interventions to protect vulnerable individuals or address unknown risks.

A case for intranasal COVID-19 vaccinations

The authors argue that intranasal COVID-19 vaccines could provide additional layers of protection by eliciting immunoglobulin A and resident memory cells in the nasal passages. An ideal vaccination strategy may consist of an intramuscular vaccine combined with an intranasal booster, offering a dual approach to combat respiratory viruses.

'Good cholesterol' may protect liver

A study in mice and human blood samples found that HDL3 protects the liver by blocking gut bacterial signals that cause inflammation. The researchers identified a special type of HDL called HDL3 that is produced by the intestine, which blocks lipopolysaccharide signals that activate immune cells.

New study provides clues to decades-old mystery about cell movement

A new study led by University of Minnesota researchers shows that the stiffness of protein fibers in tissues is a critical factor in controlling cell movement. The discovery could have major impacts on fields such as regenerative medicine, wound healing, and cancer research.

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.

Untwisting DNA reveals new force that shapes genomes

Researchers have identified a new force in DNA that shapes genomes, revealing how transcription indirectly impacts genome organization. This discovery may hold future implications for understanding genetic diseases and developmental disorders.

Cattle losing adaptations to environment, MU researchers find

Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that cattle are losing important environmental adaptations due to a lack of genetic information. They identified specific DNA variations associated with adaptations such as heat resistance and tolerance for high humidity, which could be used to create DNA tests for cattle.

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.

3D imaging reveals neural 'vicious cycle' in fatty liver disease

A novel 3D imaging technique reveals the degeneration of nerves in the liver, correlating with the severity of liver pathology in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests a 'vicious cycle' where compromised nerve function contributes to disease progression and worsens metabolic challenges.

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.

Antimatter from laser pincers

A research team has developed a new concept to study astrophysical processes in the laboratory using laser pincers. By creating an antimatter jet and accelerating it efficiently, scientists can simulate extreme conditions found near neutron stars.

Newly-hatched pterosaurs may have been able to fly

Researchers found that newly-hatched pterosaurs had strong bones capable of sustaining flight, but their wing size was smaller than adults, likely making them more agile fliers. This suggests they may have used their flying abilities to escape predators and chase prey in dense vegetation.

Meet the Martian meteorite hunters

A team at the Natural History Museum is testing spectral instruments for the ExoMars rover to identify meteorites on Mars. The rover's success rate is significantly higher than dedicated meteorite hunts on Earth, with one meteorite found per kilometre travelled.

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.

Alpha variant spread via 'super-seeding' event in UK: Oxford research

The Alpha variant of COVID-19 spread rapidly across the UK due to biological changes and large-scale human mobility. The study found that the variant emerged from Kent and Greater London, spreading to all but five counties in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England by mid-January.

Martian global dust storm ended winter early in the south

A 2018 Martian dust storm destroyed a southern hemisphere cold air vortex and brought an early spring, whereas the northern hemisphere's vortex remained stable. The storm had profound effects on the atmosphere, including altering wind patterns and suppressing waves in the northern hemisphere.

New tests can detect tiny but toxic particles of coal ash in soil

Scientists at Duke University have developed new tests to detect coal ash contamination in soil, finding high levels of arsenic, selenium, and other toxic elements. The tests revealed significant fly ash accumulation near coal-fired power plants, posing health risks to nearby communities.

Stanford researchers develop tool to drastically speed up the study of enzymes

A new technique called HT-MEK enables the simultaneous performance of thousands of enzyme experiments, allowing scientists to deeply probe into enzyme functions and structure. This could reveal clues about how enzymes work together to achieve their remarkable reactivity, enabling researchers to 'do enzymatic tricks' themselves.

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.

New dietary treatment for epilepsy well tolerated and reduced seizures

A new dietary supplement, K.Vita, has been shown to reduce seizures in children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, with a mean 50% reduction in seizures or paroxysmal events. The study found that the supplement was well-tolerated and palatable, with fewer than 10% of participants producing significant ketones.

"Noisy" gene expression may help improve stem cell therapies

Gladstone researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that boosts the 'noise' of gene expression in stem cells, accelerating their ability to differentiate into other cell types. The DiThR pathway involves a DNA repair process that increases noise across the genome, making cells more responsive to signals guiding their fate.

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.

Mini radar could find water and habitable tunnels on the Moon or Mars

A miniature radar device, MAPrad, can scan almost twice as deeply below ground as existing technology, identifying minerals, ice deposits, and voids like lava tubes. The device will be tested at the Undara caves in Australia to map one of Earth's largest accessible systems of lava tubes.

New study reveals previously unseen star formation in milky way

Astronomers have detected previously unseen tracers of massive star formation in the Milky Way, including compact regions of hydrogen gas and radio emission from methanol molecules. The survey more than doubled the number of supernova remnants found in the region.