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Science News for June 4, 2021


Structural uniqueness of the green- and red-light sensing photosensor in cyanobacteria

Researchers elucidated the molecular structure of RcaE, a representative cyanobacterial photosensor, revealing its unique conformation and potential proton transfer route to bilin. The study provides insights into how cyanobacteria evolved diverse spectral sensitivities and contributes to the development of new photoswitches.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

Magnetism drives metals to insulators in new experiment

Researchers demonstrate Slater mechanism using pyrochlore oxide, a compound with minimal other metal-insulator transition mechanisms. The study provides new insights into fundamental questions about material behavior and has potential applications in spintronics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2021

NTU scientists establish new records of Singapore's sea-level history

Researchers have extended Singapore's sea-level record to nearly 10,000 years ago, providing a more robust dataset to aid future predictions. The findings also reveal the first conclusive evidence that mangroves only existed in the Marina South area for around 300 years before succumbing to flooding associated with rising sea levels.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalThe Holocene·DateJun 4, 2021

Preventing suicide among a 'hidden population' in public housing

African American families living in public housing face unique challenges that contribute to high rates of suicidal behavior among young people. The study suggests that culturally tailored interventions delivered within public housing communities could be effective in preventing suicides.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateJun 4, 2021

Don't like your greens? Blame it on Brassica domestication

A new study has identified the genetic root of bitter taste in greens like broccoli rabe and bok choy. The research team reconstructed an evolutionary tree from DNA sequences analysis of over 400 Brassica rapa varieties, revealing that Central Asian turnips were the most genetically diverse crops.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJun 4, 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.

Vitamin D may not protect against COVID-19, as previously suggested

A new study from McGill University found no genetic evidence that vitamin D works as a protective measure against COVID-19. The study analyzed 14,134 individuals with COVID-19 and over 1.2 million without the disease, but found no difference between vitamin D levels and severity of illness.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 4, 2021

Soft tissue measurements critical to hominid reconstruction

Researchers have formulated a facial soft tissue thickness dataset for adult chimpanzees, providing a foundation for reconstructing the faces of ancient hominids. The dataset and regression equations will help reduce variability in reconstructions, offering a more accurate representation of our human ancestors.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New drug effective against lung cancers caused by common genetic error

A new drug, sotorasib, has shown significant benefit in treating non-small-cell lung cancer patients with a specific KRAS mutation. The study found that 37.1% of patients experienced tumor shrinkage and 82% saw slowing of tumor growth.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Automated and networked driving -- really wanted or rejected?

The TEMPUS project explores how people with varying needs will interact with self-driving vehicles and how to make urban traffic safer for all road users. Researchers are using surveys, focus group discussions, workshops, and observations to gather insights into user acceptance and human-technology interaction.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·DateJun 4, 2021

Geologist identifies new form of quasicrystal

A new type of manmade quasicrystal created by the first test blast of an atomic bomb has been identified by a UMass Lowell geologist. The substance holds promise for various applications such as bone repair, heat insulation and converting heat to electricity.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2021

Genomics-informed decisions can help save species from extinction

A new study suggests that excluding individuals with harmful mutations and selecting those from multiple source populations can improve the success of translocation programs for threatened species. Computer simulations show that this approach can minimize inbreeding depression and ensure population survival.

SourceLund University·JournalScience·DateJun 4, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Gene protection for COVID-19 identified

Researchers discovered a genetic link between the HLA-DRB1*04:01 gene and reduced severity of COVID-19. The study found that individuals with this gene are three times more likely to remain asymptomatic compared to those without, suggesting potential protection against severe illness.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalHLA·DateJun 4, 2021

Public awareness, willingness to use gun violence restraining orders

A survey study in California found that public awareness of extreme risk protection orders is low, and many people are unwilling to use them to prevent firearm-related harm. The study suggests that targeted education and awareness campaigns can improve public understanding and encourage the use of these orders.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJun 4, 2021

How to retard time for cells

Heavy water significantly reduces cellular dynamics without damaging cells, a finding with implications for organ transplants and tissue storage. The study's results suggest increased interaction between structural proteins and reversible effects, paving the way for further research into this phenomenon.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

Using HPC and experiment, researchers continue to refine graphene production

Using high-performance computing (HPC) and experiments, researchers continue to develop more efficient methods for producing graphene at the industrial scale. The team used GCS HPC resources to run simulations of graphene formation on liquid copper, aiming to create a faster and cheaper method for large-scale production.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 4, 2021

MLB 'FEVER' -- improved elbow MRI view for Major League Baseball pitchers

A new imaging technique, flexed elbow valgus external rotation (FEVER) view, has been shown to improve the evaluation of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in Major League Baseball pitchers. This study found increased joint space width and diagnostic confidence with FEVER view compared to standard positioning.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 4, 2021

New University of Kentucky research may offer hope for Alzheimer's patients

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have developed a new technology that can simultaneously measure glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain on a second-by-second basis. The study aims to explore the balance of these neurotransmitters in the aging brain and could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·DateJun 4, 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.

"Mexican variant" and monitoring actions of SARS-CoV-2 genome

A new SARS-CoV-2 variant, T478K, has been identified in over 50% of viruses in North America, particularly in Mexico, where it spreads rapidly among all age groups. The mutation in the Spike protein alters its interaction with the human receptor ACE2, potentially hindering drug efficacy and immune system antibodies.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateJun 4, 2021

Attentive listening helps teens open up, study finds

A new study found that engaged listening techniques like eye contact and praising openness help teenagers feel more authentic and connected with their parents. The research showed that being more attentive while listening made teenagers feel better about themselves and more likely to open up again in the future.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateJun 4, 2021

Disparities in COVID-19 rates among adults with kidney failure in New York City

A study found substantial racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 rates among adults with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in New York City. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19, with neighborhood social vulnerability factors not explaining the disparities.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 4, 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.

Newly approved drug effective against lung cancer caused by genetic mutation

The FDA-approved drug sotorasib has been shown to reduce tumor size and improve survival among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer caused by a specific DNA mutation. The study involved 126 patients who showed significant responses to the treatment, including 34% achieving partial response and 3% complete response.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

Geostationary Earth Orbit Hyperspectral Infrared Radiance data improve local severe storm forecasts proofed by using a new Hybrid OSSE method

Researchers used the hybrid OSSE method to evaluate the impact of GEO hyperspectral IR data on local severe storm forecasts. The study found improved atmospheric temperature, moisture, and precipitation forecasts, with a 5% Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) reduction.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 4, 2021

New study into green tea's potential to help tackle COVID-19

A study by Swansea University researchers suggests that a compound found in green tea could combat the coronavirus behind COVID-19. The team used an artificial intelligence-aided computer programme to screen and sort natural compounds, identifying gallocatechin as a potential lead compound.

SourceSwansea University·JournalRSC Advances·DateJun 4, 2021

Collaboration controls killers

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital studied enhancers that regulate Foxp3 gene expression to control effector and killer T cells. They found that these enhancers work together to curb the immune cells' activity, ensuring they only attack cancer cells.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

Giving brown fat a boost to fight type 2 diabetes

A new study suggests that increasing a protein in brown adipose tissue remodels white fat to lower diabetes risk. The research found that genetically engineered mice with extra protein had lower blood sugar and insulin sensitivity.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2021

Plant competition during climate change

Researchers investigated plant competition under dual stressors of extreme drought and invasive species, finding dynamic interactions that amplify or buffer each other. Cork oak trees surprisingly recover better than expected after extreme drought when the invasive gum rockrose is also affected.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJun 4, 2021

Fungus creates a fast track for carbon

Researchers discovered that fungus creates an underappreciated express lane for carbon, diverting up to 20% of fixed carbon from the microbial loop. This finding has implications for climate change mitigation and management of industrial and recreational settings dealing with harmful algal blooms.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

SLAS Discovery's June issue on synthetic biology available now

The June edition of SLAS Discovery features the cover article on developing high-throughput biochemical assays to assess small molecule impact on SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14. The issue also includes nine original research articles, covering topics such as HIV latency reversal, kinase inhibitors, and drug combination screening.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS DISCOVERY·DateJun 4, 2021

Self-excising designer proteins report isoform expression

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a new bioengineered reporter system called EXSISERS, enabling non-invasive observation of fundamental cellular processes. The system detects specific protein isoforms being translated, with potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 4, 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.

Technique inspired by lace making could someday weave structures in space

Researchers at Princeton University developed a new reconfigurable structure, called bigon rings, that can change shape under variable conditions. The technique, inspired by lace making, has potential applications in space exploration, wearable technology, and other fields.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids·DateJun 4, 2021

A novel tuberculosis regimen shortens treatment course for patients

Researchers have found a new four-month antibiotic regimen using rifapentine to be effective in treating TB, reducing the treatment duration by two months. The study showed that patients with HIV also cleared their TB just as well as those without HIV.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 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.

Why scientists want to solve an underground mystery about where microbes live

Researchers at Boston University create first-of-its-kind model to predict abundance of different species of soil microbes in various environments. The model takes into account environmental factors such as plant species, pH, temperature and climate, and has huge implications for agriculture, climate change and public health.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJun 4, 2021

Corals tell Arabian Sea story of global warming

Researchers found that global warming is causing changes to the Arabian Sea upwelling, which could impact commercial fishing, regional climate, and socioeconomics. The study used coral fossils to analyze seawater temperature and salinity changes over a 1,000-year period.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 4, 2021

Multisensory facilitation near the body in all directions

The study found that tactile stimuli are detected faster when sound approaches from any direction, but not when it recedes. This suggests that peripersonal representations exist with approaching sound, regardless of direction, implying a nearly circular shape around the body's trunk.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

nTIDE May 2021 Jobs Report: Slow improvement as economy strives for recovery

The nTIDE May 2021 report indicates improvements in employment-to-population ratios for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. Notably, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities remained stable despite pandemic-related disruptions, showcasing their resilience and continued engagement in the workforce.

SourceKessler Foundation·DateJun 4, 2021

Understanding the skin's defense system

MSU researchers have discovered how the skin's immune cells organize themselves in the epidermis to provide proper protection. The discovery sheds light on the skin's defense system, which was previously misunderstood and thought to be random in its distribution.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 4, 2021

Getting they/them pronouns right

A recent UNC-Chapel Hill study found that explicitly stating a person's preferred pronouns can improve understanding and interpretation of those pronouns. The study showed that participants were more likely to correctly interpret singular 'they' pronouns when they were explicitly told a person uses they/them pronouns.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJun 4, 2021

A missing antibody molecule may indicate when dengue will become deadly

A new study reveals that a specific antibody molecule, missing fucose, can indicate when dengue virus infection will become deadly. Patients with severe disease have unusually high levels of these antibodies, which bind too strongly to white blood cells, leading to inflammation and platelet destruction.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateJun 4, 2021

Adapting laboratory techniques for remote instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted researchers to develop a remote lab exercise teaching students how to use micropipettes. The 'Remote Laboratory Exercise' kit, costing $135 per student, contained equipment and reagents for practicing technique remotely.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Microbiology and Biology Education·DateJun 4, 2021
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.

SLAS Technology June special issue on 3D cell culture

The June edition of SLAS Technology features protocols for controlled cell seeding, splitting and expansion of human fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neural progenitor cells. Researchers have made significant improvements in forming complex 3D structures but face challenges in automating assay protocols.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS TECHNOLOGY·DateJun 4, 2021

New form of silicon could enable next-gen electronic and energy devices

Researchers developed a novel crystalline form of silicon with a hexagonal structure that can potentially be used to create high-performance electronic and energy devices. This discovery opens the door to exciting future research prospects for tuning optical and electronic properties through strain engineering and elemental substitution.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 4, 2021

Songbirds can control single vocal muscle fibers when singing

Researchers discovered that songbirds have fine control over their songs, including frequency control below one Hertz, and can activate single muscle fibers simultaneously. This high level of control is crucial for female attraction and speciation.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 4, 2021

Bacteria are connected to how babies experience fear

A new study from Michigan State University found that infants' gut microbiomes are associated with their fear responses, which can be indicators of future mental health. The researchers discovered that specific features of the gut microbiome, such as uneven balances of bacteria, were linked to stronger fear reactions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2021