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Science News Archive June 2021


Page 6 of 51

COVID-19 vaccine generates immune structures critical for lasting immunity

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccines induce a robust and potentially long-lasting immune response with the formation of germinal centers in lymph nodes. Vaccination led to high levels of neutralizing antibodies effective against three variants of the virus, including the Beta variant from South Africa.

Response to COVID-19 vaccines varies widely in blood cancer patients

A study published in Cancer Cell found that multiple myeloma patients exhibited a widely variable response to COVID-19 vaccines, with some showing undetectable antibodies after mRNA vaccines. This variation underscores the importance of routine blood tests and continued precautions for these patients.

Mark F. Bear earns RPB amblyopia research award

Amblyopia researcher Mark F. Bear receives a $100,000 grant to develop a new treatment approach based on synaptic plasticity principles. The therapy aims to 'reboot' a formerly deprived eye, restoring vision more fully than traditional patch therapy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

US presidents' narcissism linked to international conflict

A new study suggests that US presidents with high levels of narcissism are more likely to initiate conflicts with other great power countries, accounting for factors such as political party and military experience. The research found that the top three most narcissistic presidents initiated nearly all of their disputes alone.

Evidence against physically punishing kids is clear, researchers say

A conclusive narrative review found physical punishment of children is not effective in preventing child behavior problems, but instead predicts increases in behavior problems over time. The study's authors recommend countries end the use of all types of physical punishment on children to protect their development and well-being.

Lowering iron in fat cells prevented weight gain in mice

Researchers discovered that lowering iron content in fat cells limits the absorption of lipids by intestinal cells, leading to reduced weight gain and associated health issues. This finding could lead to new therapeutic approaches to protect against obesity and related diseases.

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.

Caballero-Gill receives funding for the CycloCohort Program

Caballero-Gill's project, part of the CycloAstro Project, focuses on training and developing diverse graduate students and postdocs, emphasizing socially conscious leadership and community engagement. Funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation will support this initiative until May 31, 2024.

Fast IR imaging-based AI identifies tumor type in lung cancer

A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology uses Fast IR imaging-based AI to identify tumor type in lung cancer, providing a promising diagnostic method for future testing and treatment prediction. The analysis takes only half an hour, offering a significant improvement over current methods.

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.

Excessive screen time linked to obesity in US preteen

A new national study found that children in the United States with greater screen time usage at ages 9-10 are more likely to gain weight one year later. Each additional hour spent on screen time is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) one year later.

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.

Weird warbler reveals genetics of its mismatched colors

Researchers study rare warbler hybrid with mismatched color patterns to disentangle genetic drivers of traits usually inherited together. The team identifies new location in genome linked to black face mask and confirms previously identified region for black throat patch.

Comparing expert and model technology cost forecasts

Researchers compared observed global energy technology costs for 2019 with technology cost forecasts generated by models and forecasts by human experts. Models accurately forecasted observed costs for 2019 more often than experts, but all methods underestimated cost reductions.

Love: How the feeling of power determines happy relationships

A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg found that relationship quality is associated with the subjective feeling of power, rather than a balanced distribution of positional power. Couples where both partners reported high personal power were more satisfied with their relationships.

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.

Human 'time neurons' encode specific moments in time

Research found human hippocampal neurons fire during specific moments in time, encoding information about the time and order of events. These neurons contribute to episodic memories by tracking time and sequence of events.

First-ever transient pacemaker harmlessly dissolves in body

Researchers at Northwestern and George Washington universities developed a wireless, battery-free pacemaker that disappears after use. The device wirelessly harvests energy from an external antenna, eliminating the need for bulky batteries and rigid hardware.

Evidence-based patient-psychotherapist matching improves mental health care

A randomized clinical trial found that patients matched with therapists who have a strong track record of treating their primary concerns experienced greater reductions in general impairment. This 'match effect' was more pronounced for patients with severe problems and those from traditionally underserved populations.

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.

CHEOPS unexpectedly detects a unique exoplanet

The CHEOPS satellite unexpectedly detected a third planet passing in front of its star, revealing details about a strange planet without a known equivalent. The exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, has a radius 2.5 times that of Earth and orbits its star with an orbital period of over 107 days.

New approach todrug design yields highly promising bladder cancer drug candidate

A new approach to molecular drug design has yielded a highly promising bladder cancer treatment candidate that induces rapid shedding of tumour cells and results in significant tumour size reduction. The treatment shows potent effects on patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, demonstrating safety without side effects.

RAMBO speeds searches on huge DNA databases

RAMBO, a new method, cuts indexing times for large DNA databases from weeks to hours and search times from hours to seconds. The researchers used a data structure that has a significantly faster query time than state-of-the-art genome indexing methods.

COVID-19 patients recover faster with metabolic activator treatment, study shows

Researchers found that metabolic activators reduced recovery time for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients by 3.5 days. The treatment also improved liver health and decreased inflammatory markers. This study builds on phase two clinical data and demonstrates the potential benefits of metabolic activator therapy in COVID-19 patients.

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.

Danger caused by subdomains

Researchers at TU Wien discovered a security vulnerability in subdomains, allowing hackers to access sensitive data and compromise websites. The study found 1,520 vulnerable subdomains on 887 of the world's most visited sites, including CNN and Harvard University.

A template for fast synthesis of nanographenes

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new synthesis method for nanographenes, using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as templates. This approach enables the creation of multiple nanographenes with varying characteristics, addressing the challenge of identifying relationship between structure and properties.

Hinnov coordinates new multi-university collaboration

A new three-year project funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation is integrating science from paleoclimatology, geophysics, and astronomy to study the evolution of the Solar System and Earth-Moon dynamics. The CycloAstro Project will also investigate the Earth's paleoclimate system and improve cyclostratigraphy and astrochronology.

COVID-19's socio-economic fallout threatens global coffee industry

A Rutgers University-led study warns that COVID-19's socio-economic disruptions will drive the coffee industry into another severe production crisis. The researchers conclude that managing coffee leaf rust outbreaks requires a blend of scientific and social solutions to safeguard farmers' livelihoods.

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.

Old oil fields may be less prone to induced earthquakes

Researchers found that geologic formations in northern Delaware Basin, with previous hydrocarbon production, have lower pore pressures and no earthquakes. In contrast, southern basin has higher initial pressures and earthquakes. Targeting these sites for carbon sequestration could limit earthquake risk.

Defect and interface engineering for e-NRR under ambient conditions

The review discusses defect and interface engineering for e-NRR electrocatalysts, emphasizing active sites and intrinsic mechanisms. It highlights the potential strategies to develop more advanced NRR electrocatalysts, promoting the creation of more efficient catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction.

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.

Unique exoplanet photobombs CHEOPS study of nearby star system

Astronomers using the CHEOPS space telescope have detected a unique exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, which is 9 times the size of Earth and has masses between those of Earth and Neptune. The discovery reveals that the planet has a mild stellar radiation environment, making it an ideal target for studying its composition.

Optimizing wind farm size

A simulation study found that wind farms generate little power beyond a certain size, causing interference with neighboring installations. Optimizing arrangement and placement of turbines can increase power density up to a site-specific point.

Mangrove forest study has takeaways for coastal communities

A new study found that mangrove forests in Florida suffered unparalleled dieback after Hurricane Irma due to human-made obstacles and changes in natural topography. The research team identified potential explanations, including restricted water flow between areas, which can lead to extreme conditions and degradation of wetland vegetation.

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.

Face masks that can diagnose COVID-19

Researchers have developed wearable biosensors that can be integrated into standard face masks to detect SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. The technology, called wFDCF, involves synthetic biology reactions embedded in fabrics, providing rapid detection with accuracy comparable to PCR tests.

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.

GluN3A knockout mouse: Alternative model for Alzheimer's neurodegeneration

Researchers have developed a new mouse model that mimics Alzheimer's neurodegeneration without relying on the pathogenic proteins amyloid or Tau. The GluN3A knockout mouse model highlights the role of calcium and neuronal hyperactivity in driving neurodegeneration, providing potential leads for new treatments and preventive strategies.

New face mask prototype can detect COVID-19 infection

A novel face mask detects Covid-19 in 90 minutes via embedded sensors, offering a new way to monitor healthcare workers' exposure. The technology also enables wearable biosensors for first responders and military personnel.

Infants' responses and intuitive physics

A study of 65 infants reveals stable individual differences in their responses to impossible events, which predict explanation-based curiosity at 3 years of age. The research suggests that detecting prediction errors in infancy may be a crucial aspect of later cognitive development.

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.

Boring to study slow earthquakes

Researchers have collected high-pressure data from deep-sea boreholes in a subduction zone, revealing pressures up to 5 megapascals greater than typical hydrostatic pressures. This discovery sheds light on the origins of slow earthquakes and their potential role in triggering larger earthquakes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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