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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 1 of 51

Business professors study ideal responses to ransomware attacks

A new study by University of Texas at Arlington professors explores how businesses respond to ransomware attacks and finds that negotiating with attackers may not be the best approach. The researchers suggest that companies should prioritize investing in cybersecurity to avoid long-term risks.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalManagement Science·DateJun 30, 2021

Ecology: Deforestation threatens one of the world's largest eagles

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that harpy eagles rely on specific prey in canopy forests and starve when these areas are heavily deforested. As a result, breeding pairs may decline by up to 3,256 since 1985, emphasizing the need for forest conservation.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 30, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Key components in cancer therapies

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are naturally produced during biochemical reactions within cells. They can induce apoptosis by activating cell death pathways, but high levels can promote cell proliferation and tumor progression.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalAnti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry·DateJun 30, 2021

Conservation aquaculture could bring more native oysters to west coast

A study recommends expanding conservation aquaculture in ten priority estuaries on the West Coast to restore declining Olympia oyster populations, benefiting both local shellfish growers and Tribal communities. Aquaculture can support wild populations without harvesting or selling native oysters.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021

Study identifies existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat gonorrhea

A study at ECCMID identifies existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat gonorrhoea by targeting efflux pumps, which remove toxic compounds from bacterial cells. The research found 57 potential drug candidates, including dequalinium and doxorubicin, which may serve as lead compounds for new gonorrhea treatments.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

Genetic risks for nicotine dependence span a range of traits and diseases

A new study by Emory psychologists explains that genetic risks for nicotine dependence are linked to multiple traits and diseases, including schizophrenia, depression, and neuroticism. The research provides a more comprehensive understanding of the heritability of nicotine dependence, accounting for nearly 4% of its variation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJun 30, 2021

Fecal records show Maya population affected by climate change

A new study using fecal stanols found that the Maya population in Itzan declined due to both droughts and wet periods, showing a link between climate extremes and population changes. The research provides insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental issues like soil degradation and nutrient loss.

SourceMcGill University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateJun 30, 2021

Wildfire changes songbird plumage and testosterone

A study found that wildfires alter male red-backed fairywrens' plumage, making them less attractive to females, while also lowering circulating testosterone. This suggests an evolved response to minimize breeding during unfavorable environmental conditions.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateJun 30, 2021

New beetle found in fossil feces attributed to dinosaur ancestor

A new beetle species, Triamyxa coprolithica, has been found in 230-million-year-old fossil feces attributed to a dinosaur ancestor. The beetles were preserved in the coprolite fragment, providing a detailed description of the new genus and insights into early insect evolution.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 30, 2021

Did your plastic surgeon really turn back the clock? Artificial intelligence may be able to quantify how young you actually look after facelift surgery

Researchers used convolutional neural networks to analyze facial photos before and after facelift surgery in 50 patients. The AI algorithms recognized a 4.3-year reduction in age, which correlated with patient satisfaction scores, averaging 75 for facial appearance and over 80 for quality of life.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJun 30, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ivermectin treatment in humans for reducing malaria transmission

Researchers explored whether ivermectin administration influences malaria transmission, finding large effects on mosquito mortality but no significant impact on malaria incidence in children. Further studies are underway to determine the efficacy of community-wide ivermectin treatment for reducing malaria transmission.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateJun 30, 2021

Breakthrough for tracking RNA with fluorescence

A breakthrough in tracking RNA with fluorescence allows researchers to follow messenger RNA molecules in real time, enabling the development of new RNA-based medicines. This method provides crucial information for optimising drug discovery and understanding how mRNA is taken up into cells.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 30, 2021

Astronauts demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in space

Researchers have developed a novel method for studying DNA repair in yeast cells that can be conducted entirely in space, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The technique successfully demonstrated the viability of the new method on the ISS, paving the way for extensive research into DNA repair in space.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 2021

Eating disorder behaviors alter reward response in the brain

Researchers found that eating disorder behaviors like binge-eating alter brain reward response and food intake control circuitry, reinforcing these behaviors. The study suggests that behavioral traits contribute to eating disorder maintenance and progression by modulating internal reward responses.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

How plants quickly adapt to shifting environmental conditions

Plants can respond to subtle environmental changes on the cellular level, triggering molecular changes in as little as five minutes. The study found that canopy shade leads to the removal of histones at growth-regulating genes through DNA binding of PIF7, activating their expression.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 30, 2021

Non-prescription painkillers linked to increased perinatal health risks

A large study found that pregnant women using over-the-counter painkillers have a higher risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Healthcare guidance for pregnant women regarding non-prescription painkiller use should be reassessed.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJun 30, 2021

Slowing the sugar rush to yield better grapes

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have developed strategies to delay grape ripening and increase flavor potential in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. By manipulating crop load and irrigation management, they were able to slow down sugar accumulation and improve aroma compounds, colour, and mouthfeel.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 30, 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.

Fairer finance could speed up net zero for Africa by a decade

A study by UCL researchers suggests that levelling up access to finance for poorer countries can accelerate the transition to renewable energy, allowing Africa to reach net-zero emissions approximately 10 years earlier than current projections. This would require policy interventions to lower the weighted average cost of capital (WACC)...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2021

Frequent COVID-19 testing key to efficient, early detection, study finds

A new study found that frequent COVID-19 testing, especially using polymerase chain reaction tests paired with rapid results reporting, can achieve 98% sensitivity in detecting infection. This approach can be particularly effective in places where vaccination is not yet widespread or when variants are on the rise.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJun 30, 2021

Targeted messaging for return to in-person visits

Researchers found that a single targeted message didn't affect the return to in-person visits within a month, but resulted in a small increase in re-engagement through telemedicine and rescheduling of future visits. The study suggests that alternative communication strategies may be more effective for promoting in-person care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 30, 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.

Streetonomics: using street names to quantify a city's cultural values

A study using street names to quantify cultural indicators found that Vienna honors the most women (54%), followed by London (40%). Paris and New York have lower proportions, with many streets named after people from the 1860s. Street names also reflect professions and professions held by street honorees, such as artists, writers, and ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 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.

Assessment tool helps future pharmacists prepare for work in the community

A University of Arizona study suggests that Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) can effectively assess clinical skills in community pharmacies, providing a valuable learning experience for pharmacy students. The OSCE design was found to accurately reflect the time constraints faced by pharmacists in real-world settings.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalJACCP JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY·DateJun 30, 2021

Prehistoric homes would have failed modern air quality tests

Domestic burning of wood and dung fuels in Neolithic homes would have exceeded modern internationally-agreed standards for indoor air quality, exposing inhabitants to unsafe levels of particulates. The study suggests that chronic exposure to PM2.5 could be linked to bone lesions found in the remains of Çatalhöyük's inhabitants.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalEnvironmental Geochemistry and Health·DateJun 30, 2021

NIST laser 'comb' systems now measure all primary greenhouse gases in the air

Researchers at NIST have upgraded their laser frequency-comb instrument to measure three airborne greenhouse gases: nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, plus major air pollutants ozone and carbon monoxide. The new system can identify gas signatures by precisely measuring the amounts of light absorbed at each color in the bro...

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

SLAS Discovery's July special edition 'Drug discovery targeting COVID-19' now available

A team of researchers developed a high-throughput biochemical assay to assess small molecule impact on SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14, identifying potential inhibitors from FDA-approved drugs. The study aims to deliver therapeutics for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, targeting its critical methyltransferase activity.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS DISCOVERY·DateJun 30, 2021

New markers for coronary microvascular disease identified

Researchers have identified stearic acid and ornithine as indicators of coronary microvascular disease (CMD), a condition that damages blood vessels and causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. The study suggests that estrogen may also play a role in CMD development, particularly in postmenopausal women.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalMetabolites·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

Study finds changes in wealth tied to changes in cardiovascular health

A longitudinal study of healthy adults found that upward or downward changes in wealth were associated with respective lower or higher levels of cardiovascular events. Positive wealth changes were linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, while negative wealth mobility was linked to an increased risk.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJun 30, 2021

Feedback activity in the visual cortex is necessary for the perception of objects

The study reveals that feedback to the primary visual cortex (V1) is necessary for segregating figures from the background, a crucial function of our vision. Disrupting this feedback renders objects invisible, highlighting its importance in figure-ground perception.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJun 30, 2021

Extreme events: Ecosystems offer cost effective protection

A recent study has summarized nearly two decades of research on the efficacy of nature-based solutions in reducing disaster risk. The review found ample evidence that ecosystems can reduce the impacts of hazard events, such as wildfires, flooding, and landslides, in a cost-effective manner.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJun 30, 2021

Buttoned up biomolecules

Researchers have introduced a novel click reaction suitable for living cells and organisms, enabling the labeling of biomolecules without affecting physiological processes. The reaction uses linear, terminal alkynes and N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines to form biocompatible enamine-N-oxides.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 30, 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.

Physicists observationally confirm Hawking's black hole theorem for the first time

Researchers at MIT confirmed Hawking's area theorem for the first time by analyzing GW150914 signal, showing total event horizon area did not decrease after merger. The findings provide evidence that black holes behave as thermal objects and emit radiation over long timescales, a fundamental revelation about these cosmic phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 30, 2021

Discovery of the role of a key gene in the development of ALS

A mutation in the C9orf72 gene may disrupt communication between motor neurons and muscles in ALS patients, leading to motor disorders, muscle atrophy, and mortality. The study reveals that the loss of function induced by the mutation affects synaptic transmission and protein TDP-43's location within the cell.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 30, 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.

'Plugging in' to produce environmentally friendly bioplastics

A new study reveals a cost-effective method to produce biodegradable plastics from corn stubble, grasses, and mesquite, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based plastics. This breakthrough enables the creation of eco-friendly bioplastics that can replace conventional plastics in various industries.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2021

Thinking in 3D improves mathematical skills

Researchers at the University of Basel found a strong correlation between early spatial skills and mathematical abilities in primary school. The study analyzed data from nearly 600 children and ruled out socio-economic status and language ability as factors affecting math performance.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalLearning and Instruction·DateJun 30, 2021

Digging into the molecules of fossilized dinosaur eggshells

Scientists studying fossilized dinosaur eggshells from Mexico have identified nine amino acids and evidence of ancient protein structures, providing insights into the early lives of these creatures. The analysis also sheds light on the fossilization processes and the role of minerals in preserving organic compounds.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Earth and Space Chemistry·DateJun 30, 2021
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.

Monkeys also learn to communicate

In a behavioral study on common marmosets, researchers found that the infantile development of vocalizations includes an extended flexible phase, without which language development in humans would not be possible. This phase is critical for human language development, influenced by social interactions with parents.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 30, 2021

New microchip sensor measures stress hormones from drop of blood

A Rutgers-led team developed a microchip that can measure cortisol and other stress hormones in real-time from a single drop of blood, providing patients with timely feedback for better treatment. The miniaturized device has the potential to be used for non-invasive cortisol measurement in other fluids.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 30, 2021

Thermal waves observed in semiconductor materials

Thermal waves have been observed in germanium at room temperature, a significant improvement in electronic devices performance. The discovery opens new possibilities for controlling heat through wave-like thermal transport.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 30, 2021

Cats may catch COVID-19 from sleeping on their owner's bed

A study found that cats are more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs, with 67% of owned cats testing positive for antibodies. Cats that sleep on their owner's bed are particularly at risk, and prolonged contact with owners may increase the chance of infection.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 30, 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.