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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 26 of 51

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Association of cannabis use during adolescence with neurodevelopment

A recent study found that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with reduced thickness in certain brain areas, according to researchers at the University of Vermont. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain structure and suggest a possible link between early cannabis use and neurodevelopmental changes.

Keeping strawberries fresh using bioactive packaging

A new bioactive packaging film made of chitosan, essential oils and nanoparticles can keep strawberries fresh for up to 12 days. The film has been tested against several types of pathogens, including Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium.

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.

Can biodegradable polymers live up to the hype?

Key findings suggest PHA's rapid biodegradability is overstated in real-world conditions, but it remains a better alternative to non-biodegradable plastics. Several companies are planning to switch their packaging to PHA-based materials soon.

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.

Quantum-nonlocality at all speeds

Quantum nonlocality is a universal property that prevails regardless of particle speed or indeterminacy. Researchers designed an experiment to test this phenomenon, using the principle of physical phenomena being independent of frame of reference, to prove nonlocality for any quantum particle.

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.

How do immune cells get activated?

Researchers at Université de Genève and University of Basel study the structure of cellular receptors and molecules that activate immune cells. They discovered a 'lock and key' mechanism involving specific amino acids in chemokine structures, allowing for fine-tuning of immune system activation.

$1 million grant to address cold storage logistics in vaccine delivery

A $1 million grant will be used to develop fluorochemical dispersants, known as FTags, which coat proteins in vaccine liquids to stabilize them thermally. This technology aims to eliminate the need for refrigerated supply chains and ensure vaccines can be transported at elevated temperatures.

Space scientists solve a decades-long gamma-ray burst puzzle

A team of UK scientists has confirmed a decades-long theoretical prediction about gamma-ray bursts. They measured the magnetic field in a far-off Gamma-Ray Burst and found it was scrambled after the ejected material crashed into, and shocked, the surrounding medium. This discovery sheds new light on these extreme cosmic blasts.

Icebergs drifting from Canada to southern Florida

Researchers found evidence of massive icebergs drifting from Northeast Canada to southern Florida using high-resolution seafloor mapping and radiocarbon dating. The discovery provides insight into the interactions between icebergs/glaciers and climate, shedding light on how past changes in freshwater forcing influenced shifts in climate.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Public concern on human health impact of plastic pollution

A large-scale survey found that both Europeans and Australians are highly concerned about the human health impact of marine plastic pollution, ranking it as a top threat. The study suggests a need for more research into the potential impacts on human health to inform policy and decision-making.

New beetle species discovered and named after iconic sci-fi heroines

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered over three dozen new ambrosia beetle species previously unknown to science. These beetles are named after female science fiction characters, such as Nyota Uhura and Katniss Everdeen, highlighting the importance of biodiversity classification.

Researchers find human infant brains, bodies are active during new sleep stage

A study by University of Iowa researchers found that human infants exhibit increased twitching during quiet sleep, which is synchronized with brain oscillations called sleep spindles. This discovery suggests that babies are learning about their bodies through twitching during a previously thought to be inactive period.

Omega-3s may hold key to unlocking blood-brain barrier

Researchers have visualized the structure of the MFSD2A transporter protein, which allows omega-3s to enter the brain. The study provides insight into how this protein can be used to design drugs that mimic omega-3s and hijack the system for neurological treatment.

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.

Yeast mating -- more than meets the eye

Researchers discovered an asymmetrical behavior in isogamous yeast, where MATa cells exhibit exploratory search and MATα cells display short-range gradient sensing. This finding challenges previous assumptions on the evolutionary origins of sexual dimorphism.

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.

Machine learning can now reduce worry about nanoparticles in food

Researchers at Texas A&M University used machine learning to evaluate metallic nanoparticles' susceptibility for plant uptake. The algorithm indicates how much plants accumulate nanoparticles in their roots and shoots, providing a safer approach to nanotechnology in agriculture.

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.

What factors put Philippine birds at risk of extinction?

A new study from the University of Utah reveals that more bird species in the Philippines may be endangered than previously thought, including those yet to be discovered. The research identifies key traits that make certain species more at risk of extinction, such as narrow elevation ranges and dependence on forests.

Bats in Switzerland harbor diverse viruses, some potentially zoonotic

A study of 18 bat species in Switzerland revealed 39 different viral families, with 16 infecting vertebrates and potentially posing a risk to humans. A near-complete genome of an MERS-CoV-related virus was also identified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of viruses carried by bats.

A backdoor in mobile phone encryption from the 90s still exists

A research team found that the GEA-1 algorithm, used in mobile phones since the 1990s, is easy to break and likely a deliberate weak encryption. The vulnerability no longer poses a significant threat to users, as most data traffic now uses more secure networks.

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.

Bacteria used to clean diesel-polluted soil in Greenland

Researchers found that bacteria can break down up to 82% of contaminated soil in five years through the landfarming method, a new approach for Arctic regions. The study demonstrates the potential of naturally occurring bacteria to remediate diesel pollution at abandoned military installations.

EMBO Gold Medal 2021 awarded to Andrea Ablasser

Andrea Ablasser is awarded the EMBO Gold Medal 2021 for her groundbreaking research on how cells recognize double-stranded DNA as a danger signal. Her work may pave the way for therapeutic opportunities for inflammatory conditions and cancer treatment.

Rapid exclusion of COVID-19 infection using AI, EKG technology

An AI-enhanced EKG can detect subtle electrical changes in the heart associated with COVID-19 infection, offering a potential rapid and reliable screening test. The technology achieved positive predictive values of up to 37% and negative predictive values of 99.2% in real-world populations.

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.

Scientists discover unreported plant body part

Researchers from The Pennsylvania State University have discovered a previously unreported structure called the 'cantil' in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana. Cantils are rare structures that develop under specific conditions and provide important clues for understanding plant growth and development.

Plants use a blend of external influences to evolve defense mechanisms

A study published in eLife reveals how plants produce defence chemicals that vary across Europe due to genetic variation, environmental pressures, and geographical location. The research found that different regions have unique profiles of these chemical compounds, shaped by factors such as weather conditions and landscape features.

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.

Brain cell membranes' lipids may play big role in Alzheimer's progression

A study by Aarhus University suggests that changes in lipid composition within the brain cell membrane can weaken the protective effect of a protein dimerization process, leading to increased release of toxic amyloid-beta peptides. The researchers propose targeting lipid modulation as a novel strategy for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

New Web Tool Fights Antibacterial Resistance

A new web tool, webSalvador, offers more accurate methods for constructing confidence intervals and comparing mutation rates in bacteria mutation research. This tool eliminates the need for scientists to learn programming languages, increasing efficiency and efficacy of the Luria-Delbrück experiment.

Medication may help heavy-drinking smokers improve their health

A recent UCLA clinical trial has shown encouraging results in helping daily smokers who are also heavy drinkers quit smoking and cut down their alcohol intake. The study found that nearly 36% of participants had quit smoking, with varenicline alone showing a highly encouraging quit rate.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How political bias impacts believing sexual assault victims

A study published in Violence Against Women found that political biases strongly influence attitudes towards sexual assault. Both Republicans and Democrats tend to blame victims more when strongly identifying with their party affiliation. The researchers also discovered that partisan identity often supersedes gender in shaping these at...

Receptor location plays a key role in their function

New study reveals that the location of beta1 and beta2 receptors on heart muscle cells determines their functional effects, with beta1 receptors triggering persistent changes and gene activation. This knowledge could lead to more targeted therapies for chronic heart failure.

NSF CAREER Award, Department of Energy grant to study atmospheric gases

Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz will measure concentrations of reactive organic gases in a forested field site and simulate rain events to quantify the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere. His research may provide fundamental insights into the chemistry of the atmosphere and improve air quality predictions.

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.

Young adults' alcohol use increases when casually dating

A Washington State University study of over 700 young adults aged 18-25 found that those casually dating drank more than those in serious relationships or not interested in dating. This contrasts with previous research showing young adults in relationships tend to drink less.

Fuel flow, heat fluctuations drive dangerous oscillations in rocket engines

Researchers have discovered that power source clusters near rocket engine fuel injectors can cause combustion oscillations, leading to structural damage and unsafe operating conditions. The study uses symbolic dynamics and complex networks to understand the feedback processes that give rise to these oscillations.