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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 23 of 51

Exposure to nature during COVID-19 lockdown was beneficial for mental health

A study found that exposure to natural spaces, both public and private, reduced stress, anxiety, and improved psychological well-being among Spanish and Portuguese citizens during the first COVID-19 lockdown. In Portugal, those who maintained contact with natural spaces showed lower levels of stress and mental disorders.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers propose methods for additive manufacturing quality control

A team of researchers from Penn State, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, and NIST proposed a six sigma framework of quality control for additive manufacturing. The method involves five steps: defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling, to eliminate defects and drive profits.

First report of dorsal navigation in a flying insect

Researchers discovered that sweat bees use patterns in the canopy overhead to navigate, finding their way home even in extremely low light conditions. This unique navigation system has implications for military applications, such as navigation for drones.

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.

Stress during pandemic linked to poor sleep

A Washington State University study of twins found that stress and anxiety during the pandemic were associated with decreased sleep quality. The researchers linked self-reported mental health issues to changes in sleep patterns, showing a two-way relationship between disrupted sleep and poor mental health.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

When tyrannosaurs dominated, medium-sized predators disappeared

A new study suggests that when tyrannosaurs rose to dominance, their juvenile counterparts filled the ecological niche of medium-sized carnivores. The research analyzed 60 dinosaur communities and found no decline in prey species diversity, indicating that juvenile tyrannosaurs took over the role of missing middle-sized predators.

Excess nitrogen puts butterflies at risk

A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that excess nitrogen deposited into soils via air pollution endangers butterfly diversity in Switzerland. The team analyzed data on plant and butterfly diversity across 383 plots and discovered a clear link between nitrogen intake and reduced vegetation diversity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A remote control for gene transfer

A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has developed a new technology that enables controlled introduction of target genes into individual selected cells. They achieved this by introducing genetic information with an optical remote control, allowing only cells illuminated with red light to take up desired genes.

Cooling LIGO's mirrors to near quantum ground state

Researchers have demonstrated cooling a large-scale object to nearly the motional quantum ground state, increasing sensitivity in detecting gravitational waves. The method achieved an average phonon occupation of 10.8, suppressing quantum back-action noise by 11 orders of magnitude.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Testicular cancer: Improved treatment and prognosis

A new classification of metastatic testicular cancer enables more targeted treatment, improving survival rates. The study reveals significant improvements in prognosis for patients with testicular cancer, with increased 5-year survival rates across all groups.

'Smart' segmented ring device delivers medications to stop HIV transmission

A team of researchers has designed an intravaginal ring (IVR) that delivers two medications known to decrease HIV transmission. The IVR, which contains a segmented section that releases hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), targets the first line of defence in reducing immune cell activation and buys time for a gene therapy treatment.

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.

A new 'twist' to break viscoelastic liquid bridges

Researchers discover that twisting liquid bridges breaks them more effectively than stretching, reducing contamination and speeding up the dispensing process. The 'edge fracture' mechanism is identified as the underlying cause of this phenomenon.

Anti-science, partisan tweets could flag an outbreak

A new USC study has found that science denial and partisan views on Twitter can indicate where the next COVID-19 outbreak could occur. The researchers used machine-learning algorithms to analyze over 27 million tweets and found that anti-science attitudes were high in states later hit with deadly COVID-19 surges.

New drug class could treat range of cancers with faulty BRCA genes

Researchers identified a new class of POLQ inhibitors that specifically kill cancer cells with mutations in the BRCA genes while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The drugs show promise in treating cancers such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer with BRCA mutations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Mystery of Galaxy's Missing Dark Matter Deepens

Scientists confirm NGC 1052-DF2 has only a few percent of expected dark matter content. The discovery using Hubble Space Telescope observations suggests that the galaxy formed in an environment with unusual properties, leading to its isolation.

DOE Early Career Research Awardee to study quantum materials

Jin Hu, a physicist at the University of Arkansas, received a prestigious Early Career Research Program award from the US Department of Energy to advance research into novel topological quantum materials. His five-year award will support studies on crystal growth, characterization and various measurements in high field, low temperature...

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.

Algorithm uses mass spectrometry data to predict identity of molecules

A new algorithm called MolDiscovery uses mass spectrometry data to predict the identity of unknown substances, helping scientists avoid rediscovering known compounds and save time and millions of dollars. The algorithm could accelerate the discovery of novel natural products that could lead to the development of new drugs.

Thin, stretchable biosensors could make surgery safer

A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Purdue University developed bio-inks for biosensors that can localize critical regions in tissues and organs during surgery. The new biosensors allow for simultaneous recording and imaging, which could be useful during heart surgery to guide surgical interventions.

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.

New manufacturing technique for flexible electronics

Researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length. The technique, detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, promises bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits.

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.

Unraveling the origin of Alzheimer's disease

Case Western Reserve University researchers have identified structural elements on human prions that drive their replication in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to a new strategy to stop Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as scientists explore ways to bind to these sites to block progression.

Close-up look at brain uptake of omega-3

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the transport of omega-3 fatty acids across the blood-brain barrier. The study revealed the structure and function of a protein called MFSD2A, which plays a crucial role in delivering essential fatty acids to the brain.

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.

Passive rewilding can rapidly expand UK woodland at no cost

A long-term study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that natural regeneration through seed dispersal by birds, mammals, and wind can produce biodiverse and resilient woodlands. The research suggests that incorporating passive rewilding into national planting targets could result in significant cost savings.

Commercial video games could help treat mental illness

Researchers at Lero found that commercial video games could be used as an effective and stigma-free alternative for treating depression and anxiety. The study suggests that these games can be accessed at a low cost or for free, making them a viable option for people with limited access to mental health care.

Sulfur enhances carbon storage in the Black Sea

Researchers found that reactions with hydrogen sulfide stabilize carbon compounds, leading to increased organic carbon storage in oxygen-depleted waters. This sulfur-based mechanism could influence ocean chemistry and contribute to long-term removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

A biological blueprint for tough color

Research reveals distinctive micropillars within the carapace of a flower beetle enhance its strength and toughness while optimizing its brightly colored appearance. The study's findings have potential applications in developing new, effective bio-inspired materials.

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.

After the pandemic: Economy, poverty and climate in the post-COVID-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, leading to a 75 million-person increase in poverty in 2020. The study predicts that economic impacts will persist due to past epidemics' effects, with energy demand and emissions dropping significantly but mostly due to reduced economic activity.

Altered microstructure improves organic-based, solid state lithium EV battery

Researchers have developed an improved organic-based, solid-state lithium EV battery by altering the electrode microstructure using ethanol. The new design increases energy density to 300 Wh/kg, a significant improvement over previous batteries with a utilization rate of nearly 98%. This breakthrough aims to reduce reliance on scarce t...

Seismic study will help keep carbon underground

Ajo-Franklin's lab is developing advanced fiber-optic sensors to monitor CO2 storage sites, allowing for the detection of small faults that could lead to leakage. The project aims to enhance safety and security at storage sites using distributed acoustic sensing technology.

Asymptomatic pertussis more common in infants than previously thought

A new study suggests that asymptomatic individuals play a significant role in the transmission of pertussis, with up to 70% of infected mothers displaying no symptoms. The findings challenge traditional approaches to diagnosing and treating patients, highlighting the need for a more nuanced interpretation of qPCR test results.

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.