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Science News Archive July 2021


Page 39 of 41

Stanford research shows muskrats are a bellwether for a drying delta

New Stanford research shows muskrat populations are a bellwether for the health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a protected landscape in northeastern Alberta, Canada. The study demonstrates how human-driven changes to water systems and the global climate affect even this most protected ecosystem.

Microbes in cow stomachs can break down plastic

Researchers discovered that bacteria from cow stomachs can digest certain types of plastic, including PET, PBAT, and PEF. The study found that the microorganisms can break down these plastics more effectively than single microorganisms, representing a promising eco-friendly approach to reduce plastic litter.

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.

Unusual currents explain mysterious red crab strandings

New research suggests abnormal ocean currents, rather than temperature changes, cause the occasional appearance of pelagic red crabs outside their native range. A seawater flow index was created to help researchers detect abnormal currents, providing a tool for understanding climate change and its effects on coastal species.

Inside the lungs, a new hope for protection against flu damage

Researchers have identified DAF as a receptor that increases damage to the lungs in mice infected with influenza A virus. The study highlights an immune evasion strategy by the virus and stresses the importance of a balanced immune response to viral infections.

Smart technology is not making us dumber

According to a recent paper in Nature Human Behaviour, smart technology is not dumbing us down. Instead, it's augmenting human cognitive abilities, allowing us to excel in complex tasks. By leveraging tools like GPS and computers, we can free up brain energy to think creatively.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How ethane-consuming archaea pick up their favorite dish

Researchers discovered ethane-eating microbes at hydrothermal vents, which use the same enzyme as methane-eaters to break down ethane. The enzyme's unique structure was visualized with unprecedented precision, revealing a larger catalytic chamber and additional methyl groups, allowing for efficient recognition of ethane.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Bowel cancer data reinforce need to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use

A study published at ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2021 suggests a link between antibiotic use and an increased risk of colon cancer, particularly in people under 50 years old. The research found that quinolones and sulfonamides/trimethoprim were associated with cancers in the first part of the colon.

A globally important microbial process hidden on marine particles

Researchers demonstrate that microbial fixation of nitrogen can occur on marine snow particles, leading to low oxygen concentrations and enabling anaerobic N2 fixation. The study's model shows the depth distribution of N2 fixation in the marine water column, highlighting the importance of particle size, density, and sinking speed.

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.

Solving a long-standing mystery about the desert's rock art canvas

Researchers have solved a long-standing debate about the origin of rock varnish in deserts by attributing its formation to microbial communities that use manganese to combat the desert sun. The study used advanced techniques such as X-ray spectroscopy and DNA sequencing to understand how these ecosystems interact with rock varnish.

Cancer cells eat themselves to survive

Cancer cells exploit macropinocytosis to repair damaged membranes, allowing them to survive. This technique may also enable cancer cells to recycle membrane material, increasing their resilience.

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.

Surprise bills for childbirth

A new study estimates surprise bills for deliveries and newborn hospitalizations are frequent, affecting thousands of families annually. Researchers found that out-of-network claims from clinicians and ancillary service providers are a leading cause of surprise bills.

Big data are no substitute for personal input in surveys

A recent study by Frauke Kreuter and colleagues shows that individual interviews can provide valuable insights into the development of social phenomena, even in an era where big data dominates. The global Covid Trends & Impact Survey uses human social sensing to forecast the pandemic's trajectory, with preliminary results suggesting a ...

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New clinical indicators discovered in transplant patients with COVID-19

A study by Elisa Cordero and colleagues identified key clinical indicators to detect COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients. These indicators enable personalized therapeutic measures to reduce mortality rates, particularly among older patients with respiratory failure or severe immunosuppression.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Women's use of preventive health services during COVID-19

The study found a decline in women's use of preventive health services, including sexually transmitted infection screenings and breast cancer screenings. Women also experienced reduced access to contraceptives from pharmacies during the pandemic.

The missing ocean plastic sink: Gone with the rivers

Research reveals river plastic discharge is significantly underestimated, with microplastics at the surface lasting years instead of days. The study's findings confirm the existence of a 'missing plastic sink' but highlight the need for global action to address plastic pollution.

New solution for sleep apnoea

Researchers have successfully repurposed two existing medications to reduce the severity of sleep apnoea in people by at least 30 per cent. The study showed that reboxetine and butylbromide increased muscle activity around participants' airways, reducing the number of breathing stoppages and improving oxygen intake.

Large-scale drug analysis reveals potential new COVID-19 antivirals

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University of Dundee have identified 15 molecules that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by blocking different enzymes. Three of the molecules are existing drugs with known safety data, which could be developed into new COVID-19 treatments quickly.

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.

Striking a balance: Trade-offs shape flower diversity

An international research team found that flowers often host multiple visitors, exerting different selection pressures on traits like color and scent. To mitigate these trade-offs, flowers employ various strategies, including scents and color changes, to attract or exclude different animals.

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.

Color and flavor -- pigments play a role in creating tasty tomatoes

A new study from the University of Tsukuba finds that tomato pigments impact flavor by influencing sugar content and volatile organic compounds. The researchers developed a rapid analysis method to explore how pigments affect taste and aroma, revealing positive associations with sugar and apocarotenoid volatile content.

Patients paying for unproven IVF add-on treatments

A survey of 1,590 Australian IVF patients found that 82% have used fertility add-ons despite limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. The most commonly used add-ons were acupuncture and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, with significant costs associated with these treatments.

Screening for dementia with artificial intelligence

A new grant from the NIH is supporting the development of an AI-powered smartphone app that scans speech and vocabulary patterns to catch early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The app aims to provide affordable and accessible self-assessment technology, potentially encouraging patients to seek help sooner.

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.

Pandemic prompts refocus of suicide study at Cincinnati Children's

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center are exploring telehealth as a treatment option for adolescents with suicidal thoughts, following a $7.5 million PCORI award. The study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of suicide prevention treatment delivered by telehealth during the pandemic.

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.

How long can a person live? The 21st century may see a record-breaker

A new study by University of Washington researchers estimates that a record-breaking lifespan of 125-130 years is possible by 2100. The study uses Bayesian statistics to analyze data from the International Database on Longevity and predicts that the world record for the oldest person will be broken.

How children integrate information

Researchers developed a computational cognitive model to explain how children integrate information during word learning. The model simulates what should happen when different information sources are combined in a rational way, and its predictions align well with real-world data.

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.

How information beyond the genetic sequence is encoded in plant sperm

Research from the John Innes Centre uncovers how small RNAs in plant tapetal cells influence DNA methylation in sperm, ensuring genetic integrity across generations. This breakthrough discovery has far-reaching implications for crop biotechnology and fundamental biological understanding.

Humboldt professorships 2022

Catherina Becker, a neurobiologist, has been awarded the prestigious Humboldt Professorship to strengthen CRTD's research on spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish. Her team has made significant discoveries on the mechanisms behind successful spinal cord regeneration.

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.

The rise and fall of elephants

A recent study reveals that the rise and fall of elephants was influenced by ecological diversity, global temperatures, and changes in ecosystems. The research team found that proboscideans were once more diverse with over 30 species coexisting in the same ecosystem.

New data science platform speeds up Python queries

Researchers from Brown University and MIT developed Tuplex, a new data science framework that compiles custom logic written in Python, reducing wait times to seconds. The platform also handles anomalous data by extracting and setting it aside, allowing users to repair anomalies after the program completes.