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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 13 of 51

Addressing inequity in air quality

Researchers are using satellite and ground-based tools to measure air quality, revealing significant differences in nitrogen dioxide levels between majority white and minority communities. This study aims to inform policymakers about the need to mitigate inequity in air pollution, which disproportionately affects communities of color.

If the right hand is hypersensitive due to an injury to the left

A recent study found that patients with unilateral nerve injuries often experience sensory abnormalities on the opposite side of their body, regardless of whether they have pain or not. This phenomenon, known as contralateral sensory abnormalities, suggests a common underlying mechanism for both painful and painless neuropathies.

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.

Milk protein could help boost blueberries' healthfulness

Researchers found that α-casein protein in milk increased anthocyanin and metabolite concentrations in rats by 1.5-10.1 times. The protein's amino acids interacted with and encapsulated anthocyanin molecules, improving stability and transport into the bloodstream.

Pandemic drives largest decrease in US life expectancy since 1943

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest decrease in US life expectancy since World War II, with Black Americans experiencing a staggering 3.25-year decline. The data highlights significant disparities in health outcomes across racial groups and between the US and peer countries.

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.

These sea anemones have a diverse diet. And they eat ants

A new study reveals that giant plumose anemones off the coast of Washington state consume a surprising variety of prey, including pale-legged field ants and occasional spiders. The research utilized DNA metabarcoding to analyze the gut contents of a dozen anemones, greatly expanding the known list of their diet.

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.

Combining three techniques boosts brain-imaging precision

Researchers developed a trimodal approach combining functional MRI, electroencephalography, and EROS to capture timing and location of brain responses with higher precision. The method provides a clearer picture of how different parts of the brain activate and communicate when an individual is distracted or engaged in a cognitive task.

Bioinspired mineralization of calcium carbonate in peptide hydrogel

A team of researchers developed a biomimetic mineralization of calcium carbonate using a multifunctional peptide template that can self-supply mineral sources. The study clarifies the formation mechanism of inorganic crystals and their control by organic templates, facilitating understanding of biomineralization.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Machine learning for solar energy is supercomputer kryptonite

Researchers have developed a machine learning program that accurately predicts the band gap of photovoltaics materials in milliseconds, using freely available software. This breakthrough could render supercomputers unnecessary for some applications, as stoichiometry is found to be a crucial factor in predicting band gaps.

Using virtual populations for clinical trials

Researchers successfully replicated traditional clinical trials using virtual patient populations, speeding up the trial process by months. The in-silico approach shows huge potential for optimizing medical device design and reducing risks associated with treatment.

Kit clashes affect performance in football matches, new study shows

Researchers found that kit colour clashes slow players' ability to find teammates on the pitch, with quicker response times observed when teams wear different shorts colours. The study's findings suggest potential implications for laws of the game and refereeing decisions, particularly in cases involving crossed kits.

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.

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.

Climate change makes arctic ozone loss worse

New study reveals climate change intensifies Arctic ozone depletion, putting Europe and North America at risk of increased UV radiation exposure. The expected recovery of the ozone layer may fail unless global greenhouse gases are rapidly reduced.

Predicting tooth loss

Researchers developed machine-learning tools to predict tooth loss based on medical characteristics and socioeconomic factors, outperforming traditional clinical indicators. The approach could be used globally to screen people and improve early interventions, potentially delaying or preventing tooth loss.

Researchers outline specific patterns in reading in Russian

Psycholinguists investigated how reading in Russian varies among different groups of readers. Adult native speakers exhibit a 'fluent' pattern, while second-graders show an 'intermediate' process due to local lexical difficulties. Bilingual heritage speakers also follow this pattern, despite having acquired Russian early.

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.

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.

Low-cost method for finding new coronavirus variants

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a cost-effective method for detecting new coronavirus variants. The COVseq technology uses multiplex PCR and pooling to sequence thousands of viral genomes per week, making it an affordable solution for global surveillance.

Cancer survivors' tongues less sensitive to tastes than those of healthy peers

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that cancer survivors' tongues are significantly less sensitive to bitter, salty, or sweet tastes due to damage caused by radiation therapy. The team discovered that taste dysfunction persists for years after treatment ends, affecting the quality of life for these individuals.

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.

Roughness of retinal layers, a new Alzheimer's biomarker

Researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid have developed a method to measure the roughness of retinal layers, which indicates the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The study uses fractal dimension analysis and can be used for quick and low-cost testing.

Odd smell: flies sniff ammonia in a way new to science

Flies use their antenna to smell ammonia, which helps them find food sources and navigate. A new type of odor receptor, Amt, has been identified that allows insects to detect ammonia, and could lead to effective ways to block it.

Geckos might lose their tails, but not their dinner

A new UC Riverside study reveals geckos can still capture crickets with 77% accuracy even after losing their tails. The researchers found that geckos were slower and less agile without tails, but retained a surprising retention of accuracy in capturing prey.

Wild bees need deadwood in the forest

A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests can promote the abundance of aboveground nesting bees. The researchers created artificial structures with standing timber in six sample plots in the Black Forest National Park, leading to an increase in wild bee populations.

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.

Enlisting the newly discovered L-IST RNA in the fight against type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a new gene, CCDC152 (L-IST RNA), which inhibits selenoprotein P (SeP) levels, reducing insulin resistance and glucose metabolism issues associated with type 2 diabetes. EGCG supplements may help increase L-IST, offering potential treatment options for diabetic patients.

Mongooses solve inequality problem

A new study on banded mongooses found that providing extra food to mothers created initial size disparities among pups. However, the well-fed mothers then provided more care to smaller pups, reducing these differences and promoting fairness in pup survival.

Machine learning aids earthquake risk prediction

Researchers at UT Austin developed a machine learning model that predicts the amount of lateral movement in soil during earthquakes, achieving 80% accuracy. The model uses over 7,000 data points from Christchurch, New Zealand, and was trained on the Frontera supercomputer.

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.

Life in these star-systems could have spotted Earth

Researchers used Gaia eDR3 catalog data to determine which stars pass through the Earth Transit Zone over a 10,000-year period. This allows nearby star-systems to potentially detect Earth, with 1,715 systems having had this opportunity since human civilization began.

Study reveals formation mechanism of first carbon-carbon bond in MTO process

A joint research team revealed the mechanism underlying the formation of the first carbon-carbon (C-C) bond during the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process. They detected surface ethoxy species, a critical intermediate containing the initial C-C bond, and employed theoretical calculations to predict its formation.

High-resolution microscope built from LEGO and bits of phone

A team of researchers built a high-resolution microscope using LEGO bricks and mobile phone parts, showing significant improvement in children's knowledge of microscopy. The study demonstrated that constructing the microscope themselves increased children's understanding of optical characteristics.

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.

Minority groups in the US experience cognitive issues earlier in life

A recent study found that minority groups in the US are more likely to experience cognitive issues earlier in life. The study analyzed data from over 179,000 adults and found that Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely to self-report memory loss and cognitive decline compared to white individuals.

A triple-system neural model of maladaptive consumption

A triple-system neural model of maladaptive consumption presents a new understanding of compulsive seeking and consumption behaviors. The model identifies three brain regions that may drive maladaptive behaviors: the impulsive system, reflective system, and interoceptive-awareness system.

Had COVID-19? One vaccine dose enough; boosters for all, study says

A new study suggests that people who had COVID-19 need only one vaccine dose for protection and that boosters could be necessary for everyone in the future. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines triggered antibody levels similar to those seen after mild COVID-19 infections with one dose.

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.