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Science News Archive July 2021


Page 37 of 41

Missing bile ducts offer clues to mechanism of liver injury

Scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which the liver adapts to injury by decreasing bile synthesis and shunting it to the bloodstream. This adaptation may explain why some patients with liver injury develop symptoms later than others, and could lead to new treatments for these patients.

New study uncovers how a series of sleep loss impacts mental and physical wellbeing

A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that just three nights of sleep loss can cause significant deterioration in mental and physical health. After a day or two, symptoms peak, and the body becomes relatively adapted to repeated sleep loss, but this changes on the sixth night when physical symptoms reach their wo...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Software tool breathes life into post-COVID office airflow

The new indoor module for Eddy3D software helps designers and architects maximize fresh air flow and minimize stagnant areas. By simulating airflow and identifying virus diffusion patterns, the tool reduces the risk of airborne pathogens in post-COVID offices.

Counting sheep and still awake? Mindfulness therapy may help bring on the zzz's

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that mindfulness-based therapy (MBTI) was more effective than a sleep hygiene program in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality. MBTI participants took less time to fall asleep and spent less time awake during the night compared to those in the sleep hygiene program.

Freshwater methamphetamine pollution turns brown trout into addicts

A study by Pavel Horký and colleagues has discovered that low levels of methamphetamine in freshwater rivers can elicit addiction in wild brown trout. The fish exhibited withdrawal symptoms when switched to clean water, suggesting addiction was present. Methamphetamine contamination in waterways poses a significant threat to aquatic life.

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.

Vertical greenery can act as a stress buffer, NTU Singapore study finds

A study published in Landscape and Urban Planning found that viewing buildings with green plants reduced stress levels and improved positive emotions in participants. The research suggests that incorporating vertical greenery into urban design can have a significant impact on mental health, guiding greening efforts in cities.

High-throughput metabolic profiling of single cells

Researchers have developed a novel method for generating metabolic profiles of individual cells, enabling the analysis of over 100 metabolites and lipids from thousands of cells per hour. The method, called SpaceM, uses a combination of fluorescence microscopy and mass spectrometry to analyze single-cell metabolism.

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.

Innovation massively expands view into workings of single cells

Researchers have devised a way to multiply the accessible details of gene activity in individual cells, allowing for better understanding of cancer development and brain function. The new method delivers about a ten-fold improvement in DNA recovery from single cells and reduces sequencing costs by one third.

The twinkle and the brain

Researchers at IST Austria find that ketamine and 60-hertz light flickering can remove the perineuronal net, a structure responsible for stabilizing brain connections. This could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and amblyopia.

Researchers discover way to improve immune response

A team of researchers has identified a mechanism explaining how Tpex cells can maintain their function for long periods, potentially improving the success rate of immunotherapy. The discovery was made by identifying increased amounts of an immunosuppressive molecule, which reduces activity of mTOR and dampens the immune response.

Epsilon variant mutations contribute to COVID immune evasion

The Epsilon variant's unique mutations in the spike protein reduce antibody neutralization, making it harder for vaccines and past infections to fight. The study reveals an unprecedented mechanism behind this loss of immunity, shedding light on a new strategy for immune evasion.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Synthetic biology circuits can respond within seconds

MIT researchers develop a methodology for designing protein interactions that occur at a fast timescale, allowing circuits to respond within seconds. This approach has potential applications in creating environmental sensors and diagnostics.

Climate and wing coloration in dragonflies

Male dragonflies have evolved larger melanin wing patches in cooler climates to cope with warmer temperatures. Climate change may lead to even smaller patches in the future, according to research published in PNAS.

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.

Hunting and hidden deaths led to 30% reduction in WI wolf population

A new study estimates that Wisconsin's wolf population declined between 27-33% between April 2020 and April 2021, with a majority of additional deaths attributed to cryptic poaching. The researchers estimate the current wolf population is between 695-751, which may represent the maximum due to optimistic assumptions about growth.

Detection of covid-19 via automatic cough analysis

A team of researchers has developed an AI system that can detect COVID-19 through automatic cough analysis. The system uses spectrogram features and demonstrates improved accuracy when incorporating gender information, which is found to be a significant factor in distinguishing between male and female coughs.

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.

Being clean and hygienic need not impair childhood immunity

Researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine argue that modern society's emphasis on cleanliness does not impede childhood immunity. Instead, they suggest exposing children to beneficial microorganisms through maternal contact, family members, and natural environments is crucial for immune system development.

Structuring the cerebral neocortex

The neocortex's layered structure is critical for healthy brain function. A team from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin identified two key processes that direct this organization, involving the regulatory protein Zeb2.

Researchers use multivalent gold nanoparticles to develop efficient molecular probe

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a new approach to identifying and tagging specific proteins. They used multivalent gold nanoparticles as a scaffold to attach carbohydrate ligands and electrophiles, which allowed them to highly efficiently and selectively label carbohydrate-binding...

Asymptomatic adults may be reservoirs of Streptococcus pneumoniae

A study by ITQB NOVA researchers found that asymptomatic adults in Portugal can carry pneumococci for several months, with a median duration of almost two months. This suggests that some adults may act as reservoirs of the bacterium, potentially impacting herd immunity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Face off for best ID checkers

A new face identification ability test, GFMT2, has been developed to identify high-performing facial recognition individuals known as super-recognisers. This test will help prevent false identity matches made by facial recognition software and improve recruitment for roles such as visa processors and passport issuers.

Seismic observation of subglacial water flow dynamics

Researchers used seismic sensors to study subglacial water flow on the Argentière glacier. The study revealed a complex drainage system with multiple cavities producing high water pressure, accelerating glacier movement.

Dolphin species that live together, do not necessarily compete for food

A new study published in Environmental Research found that various dolphin species can coexist without competing for food, even though they hunt at the same depth. The researchers used stable nitrogen isotopes to determine the trophic level of each species, revealing surprising differences in their diets.

Seabird colony creates 'halo' of depleted fish stocks

A seabird colony on Ascension Island creates a 'halo' of depleted fish stocks, with reduced flying fish numbers detected up to 90 miles from the island. The study provides rare evidence for Ashmole's halo, a pattern of prey depletion first proposed 60 years ago.

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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A retrospective cohort study found that COVID-19 surges in hardest-hit US hospitals doubled mortality rates. Researchers also discovered that nearly a third of persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms months after infection.

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.

Family planning and women's well-being

A family planning program in Bangladesh from 1977 to 2012 showed significant differences in lifetime contraceptive behavior and fertility among women. Women who participated in the program experienced increased body mass index compared to non-participants, particularly those born between 1950 and 1961.

NIH grant will help streamline chemical synthesis

Julian West's lab receives a five-year, $1.8 million NIH grant to simplify the synthesis of organic chemicals, enabling new hydrogen atom transfer modules and 'mutase-like' catalysis. This will accelerate the development of new drugs and compounds with improved properties.

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.

Human exploitation of Caribbean shark communities

A study analyzed fossil dermal denticles from ancient coral reefs and modern reefs to estimate Caribbean shark abundance before and after human settlement. The results show a significant decline in shark populations, with fast-swimming species facing the greatest losses.

Innovative method for producing complex molecules

A team of FAU researchers has developed an innovative process for producing asymmetrical hexaarylbenzene (HAB) molecules with six different aromatic rings. The four-step domino reaction allows for the efficient synthesis of large quantities of these complex molecules without toxic metals.

MasSpec Pen shows promise in pancreatic cancer surgery

The MasSpec Pen technology has been shown to accurately identify healthy and cancerous tissue in pancreatic cancer surgeries, giving patients the greatest chance of survival. The device is over 100 times faster than current gold standard diagnostic methods.

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.

Comprehensive genetic study of cleft lip and palate

A comprehensive genetic study led by the University of Bonn has identified 45 new regions in the human genome associated with an increased risk of cleft lip and palate. These regions are linked to variations in DNA sequences that regulate gene activity, disrupting normal facial development.

Potential of faba beans, rich in protein, has been unlocked

Researchers have identified the gene responsible for faba bean's production of vicine and convicine, two compounds that cause favism in susceptible individuals. The team has also found a specific mutation within this gene that reduces synthesis, leading to low vicine and convicine content in certain varieties.

Oncotarget: General anesthesia for pancreatic cancer surgery

A prospective study analyzing plasma metabolomics during general anesthesia in patients with pancreatic malignancy reveals perioperative tryptophan depletion and increased taurine synthesis. This finding has implications for personalized perioperative management and may identify therapeutic windows for immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

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.

Integrate disciplines to conserve biodiversity

The article emphasizes the importance of integrating different disciplines and stakeholders in conservation efforts. Key findings include the need for increased funding and expert guidance for transdisciplinary research, as well as the benefits of such approaches, including improved data quality and innovation.

Belowground microbial solutions to aboveground plant problems

Researchers found that the presence of beneficial bacteria in plant roots promotes growth under low light conditions, but reduces defense against leaf pathogens. The study suggests a complex interplay between plant growth and defense responses mediated by root microbiota.

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.

Temperature cues for bird migration

Research reveals that Asian houbara birds use internal temperature cues to fine-tune their migration departure times, adapting to annual temperature variability without genetic changes. Temperature cues are more consistently used than other environmental factors like daylight length or wind velocity.

COVID gets quantum treatment for drug discovery

Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory used Stampede2 to refine the screening of potential drug molecules targeting COVID-19's spike protein. The method, developed by Stephan Irle and Van Quan Vuong, uses quantum mechanics-based ranking refinement and binding analysis to identify top candidates for further testing.