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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 48 of 51

Quantum Hall effect and the third dimension

Scientists at Max Planck Institute show that electron system of ZrTe5 remains three-dimensional even in strong magnetic fields, linking quasi-quantization to quantum-Hall physics. This finding promises a unified explanation for puzzling plateaus in Hall measurements in many three-dimensional materials.

Salps fertilize the Southern Ocean more effectively than krill

Researchers found that salp fecal pellets release more bioavailable iron than krill pellets, allowing phytoplankton to take up five times more iron. This could lead to increased CO2 fixation and a shift in the Southern Ocean's food web as climate change affects krill dominance.

Researchers identify how to prevent cancer metastases

Researchers have discovered that natural killer cells and interferon gamma play a crucial role in preventing cancer metastases. Targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy and interferon gamma therapy, show promise in maintaining dormant cancer cells in a state of hibernation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

R&D exploration or exploitation? How firms respond to import competition

A study published in the Strategic Management Journal finds that firms in response to increased import penetration tend to rely more on familiar knowledge in developing innovations, rather than exploring new sources of knowledge. This shift is temporarily reversed over time, positively associated with an increased likelihood of survival.

Synthetic SPECIES developed for use as a confinable gene drive

Researchers create synthetic fly species with a genetic barrier to limit gene drive spread, offering a safe and reversible method of controlling populations. The technology has potential applications in disease elimination, crop protection, and pest management.

Fossil secret may shed light on the diversity of Earth's first animals

Scientists have found that exceptionally well-preserved fossils in the Burgess Shale, Canada, could have been moved by mudflows without damage, throwing doubt on the idea that they all lived together. This discovery suggests that early marine animal communities may be more complex and diverse than previously thought.

CMU Team develops machine learning platform that mines nature for new drugs

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a machine learning platform that can identify natural product drugs for treating various ailments. The platform, called NRPminer, uses genomic and metabolomics data to detect promising natural products, including four novel compounds with potential antimalarial properties.

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.

Blood clot-busting nanocapsules could reduce existing treatment's side effects

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed nanocapsules that target specific blood clots, potentially reducing the risk of life-threatening bleeding and increasing the effectiveness of a clot-dissolving drug. The new nanocapsules are designed to attach to activated platelets and release tPA, which dissolves clots.

Coloring tumors reveals their bad influence

A team of researchers developed a laboratory system to dissect the pre-cancerous steps that remained undetected until present. They found that mutant cells create a hostile environment for neighboring non-mutant cells and deregulate the normal stem cell niche in mouse intestinal tissue.

Regulation of the genome affects its 3D structure

Researchers found that DNA methylation increases stiffness of DNA, affecting its 3D structure and gene activation. This discovery reveals a cryptic mechanism connecting epigenetic footprinting and gene programming.

Study exposes increasing flood risk in the UK

A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University researchers found that floods in most UK areas no longer follow historical patterns due to climate change and human intervention. This challenges traditional flood frequency analysis methods, which may lead to underestimation of flood peaks and catastrophic consequences.

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.

The best strawberries to grow in hot locations

Researchers found five strawberry cultivars suitable for growing in hot, dry regions like Texas. These varieties have desirable berry characteristics, including sweetness and flavor intensity. The top performers were Albion, Sweet Charlie, Camarosa, Camino Real, and Chandler.

Stemming the leaky pipeline of females in STEM

A Singapore study explores how female students fare in STEM careers, revealing only half of graduates stay in the field. The research aims to stem the 'leaky pipeline' by investigating early exposure to female role models and group work dynamics.

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.

Activation of carbon-fluorine bonds via cooperation of a photocatalyst and tin

Researchers from Osaka University have successfully developed an organic reaction that selectively converts a specific carbon-fluorine bond in perfluorinated compounds to other functional groups. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of high-value fluorine-containing drugs, addressing a significant challenge in pharmaceutical applica...

Continuous glucose monitors help manage type 2 diabetes

The study found that continuous glucose monitors reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations for hypoglycemia, improving blood sugar control in selected insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients. The monitors also showed comparable results to a new diabetes medication in terms of blood sugar control.

Current global environmental law and policy are failing, experts say

Leading scholars propose new frameworks for environmental governance, citing structural problems in current laws and international law-making processes. They advocate for a new environmental charter, reviving the United Nations Trusteeship Council, and strengthening the UN Environment Programme to address pressing global challenges.

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.

Protein disguise could be new target for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers identified a protein that interferes with the immune system's response to cancer, allowing tumours to evade killer T-cells. Lower levels of this protein in tumours have been linked to improved survival rates in patients with specific types of cancer, such as liver, head and neck, and stomach cancers.

Target protein identified for improving heart attack treatment

A new study led by Washington State University researchers has identified protein kinase A (PKA) as a potential target for improving treatment outcomes after a heart attack. The research suggests that PKA plays a role in heart muscle cell necrosis, a major type of cell death that commonly occurs after reperfusion therapy.

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.

Better popping potential for popcorn

A team of researchers has identified key characteristics related to popcorn expansion, enabling more efficient selection and breeding of high-quality popcorn. The study found that kernel outer layer thickness is a critical trait for increased popping expansion.

Neuroscience doesn't undermine free will after all

A new study published in Trends in Cognitive Science argues that recent research does not challenge free will. The article highlights computational modeling and data analysis challenges to the idea that electrical activity in the brain indicates a lack of free will.

At-home COVID-19 tests: How good are they?

A recent study by the American Chemical Society tested five at-home rapid tests, finding they were relatively easy to use with accurate results compared to lab testing. The cost and access to these tests are concerns, but community programs can help offset costs and build trust in testing.

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.

Under the microscope: SMU's experiential learning

SMU-X, a university-wide pedagogical experiential learning programme, is being rigorously evaluated to assess its impact on graduates. The study will investigate whether SMU-X effectively cultivates a learning mindset, sharpens workforce skills, and facilitates career-related advancements for SMU graduates.

Mapping intermittent methane emissions across the Permian Basin

A team of researchers has identified over 1,100 unique large methane point sources across the Permian Basin using airborne imaging spectrometry. The study found that most sources were highly intermittent, but those that were persistent accounted for a significant portion of total emissions.

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.

Similarity of legs, wheels, tracks suggests target for energy-efficient robots

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed a new formula that applies to a broad range of legged, wheeled, and tracked systems, showing they are as efficient as other ground mobile platforms. The findings have implications for designing future terrestrial robots for defense applications, particularly in challenging terrain.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers explore ways to detect 'deep fakes' in geography

A team of researchers has developed a method to detect deep fakes in geography, including satellite images and maps. The technique uses Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Networks (CycleGAN) to identify fake images, distinguishing them from real ones with 80% accuracy.

Laser physics: Two-stage particle-beam booster

Laser physicists have built the first compact two-stage plasma-based accelerator, accelerating particles to near-light speed within a few millimeters. The hybrid plasma accelerator has shown more than three orders of magnitude higher acceleration fields than conventional accelerators.

Building green finance in Asia

The Monetary Authority of Singapore launches a $2 billion green investments program to promote environmentally sustainable projects. The Singapore Green Finance Centre, launched by SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Imperial College Business School, aims to build a new ecosystem for sustainable investing in Asia. Researchers wil...

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.

DNA circuits

Scientists have created a molecular switching circuit made of DNA that can change the shape of soft matter based on pH levels. The DNA switches react differently with their surroundings, allowing for potential applications in soft robotics and logical function networks.

NIH supports mathematical optimization of tumor treatment

Researchers aim to develop a personalized approach to adaptive radiation therapy (ART) using computerized tomography (CT) technology. The goal is to balance the needs of patients, clinicians, and insurers by adapting treatment strategies in real-time.

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.

How platelets help resolve lung inflammation

Researchers at the University of Münster discovered that platelet-white blood cell interactions resolve lung inflammation by secreting anti-inflammatory substances and eliminating excess neutrophil granulocytes. This finding has implications for developing new therapy concepts to combat acute respiratory failure.

THOR: Driving collaboration in heavy-ion collision research

The THOR COST Action has enabled a large collection of papers on hot matter and relativistic heavy-ion collisions, thanks to extensive collaborations between researchers. Through the project, over 300 physicists have improved their methods by exchanging ideas and results.

Oldest human traces from the southern Tibetan Plateau in a new light

Researchers used OSL dating to directly date stone artefacts from an archaeological site in southern Tibet, revealing an age between 5,200 and 5,500 years. The analysis provides new insights into human occupation of the region and sheds light on the earliest human activities in the Tibetan Plateau.

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.