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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 32 of 51

Opto-mechanical non-reciprocity in fiber

Researchers discovered non-reciprocal propagation in polarization-maintaining optical fibers due to ultrasound interaction. This phenomenon enhances sensing measurements and signal processing beyond the fiber's boundaries, opening new possibilities for advanced sensor networks.

Children of well-educated people have higher survival rates

A systematic review of 300 studies found that children of well-educated parents have a significantly lower risk of dying before age five. The study highlights the importance of mothers' and fathers' education in reducing child mortality, with one year of extra education for mothers associated with a 3% reduction in mortality rates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dinosaurs lived in greenhouse climate with hot summers

Researchers used a new technique to reconstruct the climate of Europe during the Cretaceous period, finding that temperatures fluctuated between 15°C and 27°C. This shows that seasonal differences remained constant despite rising average temperatures, leading to hotter summers and warmer winters.

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.

Music listening near bedtime disruptive to sleep, Baylor study finds

Researchers found that people who experience earworms regularly at night are six times more likely to have poor sleep quality. Instrumental music is more likely to lead to earworms and disrupt sleep than lyrical music. Moderating music listening or engaging in cognitive activities can help alleviate the issue.

Trapping DNA damage

Researchers at Kyoto University have uncovered how XRCC1 protein disarms PARP traps, preventing DNA damage accumulation. This discovery may lead to improved cancer treatments using PARP inhibitors.

Anomalous weak values via a single photon detection

Researchers demonstrate a novel measurement paradigm dubbed Robust Weak Measurement, measuring an anomalous weak value with a single photon detection event. The team obtains an observable with eigenvalues in the range [-7,7] and reports a weak value of the pre- and postselected system on which a single-click measurement was performed.

Ocean microplastics: First global view shows seasonal changes and sources

Researchers have developed a new method to track ocean microplastics using satellite data, revealing seasonal changes in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and releases from the Yangtze River. The study provides valuable information for cleaning up microplastic pollution and deploying resources more efficiently.

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.

What happens in the brain when people make music together?

A team of neuroscientists discovered five key brain functions that enable social connection through music, including empathy circuits, oxytocin secretion, and dopamine release. Music can strengthen cohesion and mutual trust between people by signaling shared values.

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.

How cells measure themselves

Researchers found that cells regulate their own size by using DNA content as an internal scale. Cells with too little KRP4 delay DNA replication until they catch up, while those with too much dilute KRP4 to speed up the process. This mechanism keeps meristem cells within a narrow size range.

Researchers turned transparent calcite into artificial gold

Scientists at Tel Aviv University developed a nanotechnology that transforms transparent calcite into a sparkling gold-like particle. The new material can serve as a platform for innovative cancer treatments and offers a biofriendly delivery of optical resonances, enabling multifunctionality in biomedical systems.

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.

ACTG launches phase 1 combination HIV cure study

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) has launched A5386, a phase 1 HIV cure study assessing the safety and efficacy of N-803 in conjunction with broadly neutralizing antibodies. The study aims to evaluate the immune system's ability to control HIV reservoirs and virus rebound.

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.

Soot from heaters and traffic is not just a local problem

A study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that soot particles from oil and wood heating systems as well as road traffic contribute significantly to air pollution in Europe. The researchers estimated that 48% of local soot emissions and 52% of long-distance soot emissions reached the measurement site.

Moral disgust has a 'bad taste'

A study found that witnessing moral transgressions can inhibit tongue movements, similar to tasting something unpleasant. This reaction may reflect an avoidance-defensive mechanism, adapting as a response to shared moral norms.

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.

Cause, scope determined for deadly winter debris flow in Uttarakhand, India

A team of 53 scientists determined the deadly winter debris flow in Uttarakhand, India was caused by falling rock and glacier ice that melted on its descent. The study used satellite imagery, seismic records and eyewitness videos to produce computer models of the flow, shedding light on emerging hazards in the region.

Ion and lipid transporters specialize for their niche

Researchers have discovered that ion and lipid transporters have evolved distinct structural features to optimize the transport of their respective substrates. Crystal structures reveal a pump primed for dephosphorylation in Ca2+-ATPase, while a novel mechanism is uncovered in P4-ATPases, enabling efficient lipid flippase activity.

Novel materials: Sound waves traveling backwards

Scientists have designed metamaterials that can produce rotons, quasiparticles that behave like free particles, without using quantum effects under normal conditions. These materials could enable the manipulation of sound waves in ways previously impossible, such as bouncing or redirecting them.

Could neutrophils be the secret to cancer's Achilles' heel?

Researchers identified neutrophil elastase as a major anti-cancer protein that activates cell death pathways specifically in cancer cells. This discovery may lead to the development of first-in-class medicines that target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues.

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.

Prostate cancer linked to obesity

Abdominal obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, while general obesity does not show the same correlation. The research team recommends prioritizing studies on obesity exposure over a lifetime and further analysis of body fat distribution to better understand the risks.

New twist on DNA data storage lets users preview stored files

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique that allows users to preview stored DNA data files, such as image thumbnails. This innovation improves the efficiency and user experience of DNA data storage, enabling users to identify specific files without opening the entire file.

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.

Active platinum species

Researchers investigated individual platinum atoms and small clusters on special zeolite supports, finding they are significantly more active than larger clusters in splitting oxygen. Platinum clusters also dominate CO oxidation, while individual atoms enable efficient methane combustion.

Headphones, earbuds impact younger generations' future audio health

The current research highlights the risk of noise-induced hearing loss among children and young adults due to prolonged exposure to high volumes from personal audio systems. The need for public health hearing conservation policies and education on safe volume levels is emphasized by experts.

Butterflies and moths have difficulty adjusting to a rapidly changing climate

A recent study found that only 45% of moth and butterfly species can adjust to a changing climate by advancing their flight period or shifting their range further north. The remaining 55% have seen their populations decline due to insufficient habitats, making it essential to preserve biodiversity through high-quality habitats.

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.

Researchers' algorithm to make CRISPR gene editing more precise

Researchers have developed a new method to select efficient gRNA molecules for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, achieving high efficiency and precision. The algorithm uses deep learning and large datasets to predict the efficiency of gRNAs, promising improved outcomes in genetic disorders and biotechnology applications.

Could all your digital photos be stored as DNA?

Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to label and retrieve DNA data files from a large pool, enabling feasible DNA data storage. By encapsulating each file in a silica particle labeled with single-stranded DNA barcodes, they demonstrated accurate retrieval of individual images stored as DNA sequences.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New method makes generic polymers luminescent

Researchers have successfully developed a new method to give luminescent properties to generic polymers like polystyrene and polyethylene. The technique makes it possible to easily prepare luminescent polymers without complicated organic synthetic methods.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Noise and light pollution can change which birds visit our backyards

A new study found that birds across the continental US tend to avoid backyard feeders in louder areas, while even more species stay away when both light and noise pollution are present. Common bird species such as American goldfinches and cedar waxwings avoid areas with excessive noise.

Calcified Tissue International announces top-cited papers

The journal honors the authors of its 10 most oft-cited 2019 papers with certificates of publishing excellence. The papers cover various topics in bone and musculoskeletal research, including muscle function, osteoporosis, and Paget's disease.

Saliva can be more effective than nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 testing

A new protocol processing saliva samples with a bead mill homogenizer improves COVID-19 detection rate and eliminates challenges of nasopharyngeal testing, researchers report. Saliva testing is found to be more effective than nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 detection in a study published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

When physics meets financial networks

Researchers apply statistical physics principles to analyze financial systems as complex networks, shedding light on early warning signals of crises and interbank linkages. Network theory reveals the impact of heterogeneity on risk propagation and systemic instability.

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.

Alcohol companies earned billions from underage drinking in 2016

A new study found that youth consumption accounted for $17.5 billion worth of alcohol sales in 2016, with three major companies responsible for nearly half of these sales. The research highlights a disconnect between the industry's advocacy for prevention and its own profits from underage drinking.