Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 23


Page 23 of 51

Exposure to nature during COVID-19 lockdown was beneficial for mental health

A study found that exposure to natural spaces, both public and private, reduced stress, anxiety, and improved psychological well-being among Spanish and Portuguese citizens during the first COVID-19 lockdown. In Portugal, those who maintained contact with natural spaces showed lower levels of stress and mental disorders.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalEnvironment International·DateJun 17, 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.

Numerical study first to reveal origin of 'motion of the ocean' in the straits of Florida

Researchers identify mechanisms behind formation of sub-mesoscale eddies in Straits of Florida, which play a crucial role in retaining marine organisms and nutrients. The study reveals that shear instability on the shelf contributes to the formation of these eddies, with barotropic and baroclinic instabilities driving their development.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Physical Oceanography·DateJun 17, 2021

Researchers propose methods for additive manufacturing quality control

A team of researchers from Penn State, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, and NIST proposed a six sigma framework of quality control for additive manufacturing. The method involves five steps: defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling, to eliminate defects and drive profits.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateJun 17, 2021

First report of dorsal navigation in a flying insect

Researchers discovered that sweat bees use patterns in the canopy overhead to navigate, finding their way home even in extremely low light conditions. This unique navigation system has implications for military applications, such as navigation for drones.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 17, 2021
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.

Stress during pandemic linked to poor sleep

A Washington State University study of twins found that stress and anxiety during the pandemic were associated with decreased sleep quality. The researchers linked self-reported mental health issues to changes in sleep patterns, showing a two-way relationship between disrupted sleep and poor mental health.

SourceWashington State University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJun 17, 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.

Tug-of-war receptors for sour taste in fruit flies sheds light on human taste biology

Research finds that fruit flies use two distinct types of gustatory receptor neurons to discriminate between low and high concentrations of acid, explaining why many animals are attracted to slightly acidic foods but repulsed by highly acidic ones. A key protein, Otopetrin-like, plays a crucial role in attractive sour taste response.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021

Theory of Tradition: Why architect Seiichi Shirai practiced calligraphy

Seiichi Shirai's practice of calligraphy was characterized by four aspects: interest in kanji's primitive aspects, emphasis on utility, asceticism, and rapid writing. His calligraphy reflected the universal potential of objects without being misled by external form or origin.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJapan Architectural Review·DateJun 17, 2021

When tyrannosaurs dominated, medium-sized predators disappeared

A new study suggests that when tyrannosaurs rose to dominance, their juvenile counterparts filled the ecological niche of medium-sized carnivores. The research analyzed 60 dinosaur communities and found no decline in prey species diversity, indicating that juvenile tyrannosaurs took over the role of missing middle-sized predators.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalCanadian Journal of Earth Sciences·DateJun 17, 2021
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.

Excess nitrogen puts butterflies at risk

A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that excess nitrogen deposited into soils via air pollution endangers butterfly diversity in Switzerland. The team analyzed data on plant and butterfly diversity across 383 plots and discovered a clear link between nitrogen intake and reduced vegetation diversity.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalConservation Biology·DateJun 17, 2021

A remote control for gene transfer

A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has developed a new technology that enables controlled introduction of target genes into individual selected cells. They achieved this by introducing genetic information with an optical remote control, allowing only cells illuminated with red light to take up desired genes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 17, 2021

CSIC scientists propose a new strategy to regulate the cells communication network

CSIC scientists propose a new approach to regulate the signaling cascade of tyrosine kinases, which could lead to the development of more selective tools for research, diagnosis, or treatment of diseases. The new tool is designed to block the molecules on which kinases act, rather than inhibiting the enzymes themselves.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateJun 17, 2021
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.

Cooling LIGO's mirrors to near quantum ground state

Researchers have demonstrated cooling a large-scale object to nearly the motional quantum ground state, increasing sensitivity in detecting gravitational waves. The method achieved an average phonon occupation of 10.8, suppressing quantum back-action noise by 11 orders of magnitude.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 17, 2021

Wild chimpanzee orphans recover from the stress of losing their mother

A long-term study on wild chimpanzees found that young orphaned chimps experience high levels of stress when their mothers die, but this stress subsides over time. Adult orphaned chimps are supported by other chimps, which may contribute to their recovery from maternal loss.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·DateJun 17, 2021

Testicular cancer: Improved treatment and prognosis

A new classification of metastatic testicular cancer enables more targeted treatment, improving survival rates. The study reveals significant improvements in prognosis for patients with testicular cancer, with increased 5-year survival rates across all groups.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 17, 2021

'Smart' segmented ring device delivers medications to stop HIV transmission

A team of researchers has designed an intravaginal ring (IVR) that delivers two medications known to decrease HIV transmission. The IVR, which contains a segmented section that releases hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), targets the first line of defence in reducing immune cell activation and buys time for a gene therapy treatment.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalDrug Delivery and Translational Research·DateJun 17, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Nanodecoy' therapy binds and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 virus

Researchers develop nanodecoys made from human lung spheroid cells that bind to and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, accelerating viral clearance and reducing lung injury. The therapy could be effective against emerging variants of the virus.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 17, 2021

A new 'twist' to break viscoelastic liquid bridges

Researchers discover that twisting liquid bridges breaks them more effectively than stretching, reducing contamination and speeding up the dispensing process. The 'edge fracture' mechanism is identified as the underlying cause of this phenomenon.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 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.

Anti-science, partisan tweets could flag an outbreak

A new USC study has found that science denial and partisan views on Twitter can indicate where the next COVID-19 outbreak could occur. The researchers used machine-learning algorithms to analyze over 27 million tweets and found that anti-science attitudes were high in states later hit with deadly COVID-19 surges.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateJun 17, 2021

New drug class could treat range of cancers with faulty BRCA genes

Researchers identified a new class of POLQ inhibitors that specifically kill cancer cells with mutations in the BRCA genes while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The drugs show promise in treating cancers such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer with BRCA mutations.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021

Mystery of Galaxy's Missing Dark Matter Deepens

Scientists confirm NGC 1052-DF2 has only a few percent of expected dark matter content. The discovery using Hubble Space Telescope observations suggests that the galaxy formed in an environment with unusual properties, leading to its isolation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 17, 2021

Disadvantaged neighborhoods see more COVID-19 infections and deaths

Researchers created a neighborhood-level COVID-19 inequity index to analyze disparities in New York City neighborhoods. The index showed that areas with higher inequity indices had higher subway ridership, implying lower social distancing capacity.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021
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.

DOE Early Career Research Awardee to study quantum materials

Jin Hu, a physicist at the University of Arkansas, received a prestigious Early Career Research Program award from the US Department of Energy to advance research into novel topological quantum materials. His five-year award will support studies on crystal growth, characterization and various measurements in high field, low temperature...

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·DateJun 17, 2021

Algorithm uses mass spectrometry data to predict identity of molecules

A new algorithm called MolDiscovery uses mass spectrometry data to predict the identity of unknown substances, helping scientists avoid rediscovering known compounds and save time and millions of dollars. The algorithm could accelerate the discovery of novel natural products that could lead to the development of new drugs.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Thin, stretchable biosensors could make surgery safer

A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Purdue University developed bio-inks for biosensors that can localize critical regions in tissues and organs during surgery. The new biosensors allow for simultaneous recording and imaging, which could be useful during heart surgery to guide surgical interventions.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021

A new rapid assessment to promote climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions

A new rapid assessment framework offers a simple tool to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions. The '5Ws' framework helps practitioners consider the what, when, where, why, and who of climate-informed action, enabling them to adapt investments in reforestation, fire management, and habitat protection.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalConservation Science and Practice·DateJun 17, 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.

New manufacturing technique for flexible electronics

Researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length. The technique, detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, promises bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Electronics·DateJun 17, 2021

Unraveling the origin of Alzheimer's disease

Case Western Reserve University researchers have identified structural elements on human prions that drive their replication in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to a new strategy to stop Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as scientists explore ways to bind to these sites to block progression.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 17, 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.

Close-up look at brain uptake of omega-3

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the transport of omega-3 fatty acids across the blood-brain barrier. The study revealed the structure and function of a protein called MFSD2A, which plays a crucial role in delivering essential fatty acids to the brain.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2021

Passive rewilding can rapidly expand UK woodland at no cost

A long-term study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that natural regeneration through seed dispersal by birds, mammals, and wind can produce biodiverse and resilient woodlands. The research suggests that incorporating passive rewilding into national planting targets could result in significant cost savings.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 17, 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.

Commercial video games could help treat mental illness

Researchers at Lero found that commercial video games could be used as an effective and stigma-free alternative for treating depression and anxiety. The study suggests that these games can be accessed at a low cost or for free, making them a viable option for people with limited access to mental health care.

SourceLero·JournalJMIR Serious Games·DateJun 17, 2021

Sulfur enhances carbon storage in the Black Sea

Researchers found that reactions with hydrogen sulfide stabilize carbon compounds, leading to increased organic carbon storage in oxygen-depleted waters. This sulfur-based mechanism could influence ocean chemistry and contribute to long-term removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 17, 2021

A biological blueprint for tough color

Research reveals distinctive micropillars within the carapace of a flower beetle enhance its strength and toughness while optimizing its brightly colored appearance. The study's findings have potential applications in developing new, effective bio-inspired materials.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 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.

After the pandemic: Economy, poverty and climate in the post-COVID-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, leading to a 75 million-person increase in poverty in 2020. The study predicts that economic impacts will persist due to past epidemics' effects, with energy demand and emissions dropping significantly but mostly due to reduced economic activity.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalIMF Working Paper·DateJun 17, 2021

Altered microstructure improves organic-based, solid state lithium EV battery

Researchers have developed an improved organic-based, solid-state lithium EV battery by altering the electrode microstructure using ethanol. The new design increases energy density to 300 Wh/kg, a significant improvement over previous batteries with a utilization rate of nearly 98%. This breakthrough aims to reduce reliance on scarce t...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJoule·DateJun 17, 2021

Seismic study will help keep carbon underground

Ajo-Franklin's lab is developing advanced fiber-optic sensors to monitor CO2 storage sites, allowing for the detection of small faults that could lead to leakage. The project aims to enhance safety and security at storage sites using distributed acoustic sensing technology.

SourceRice University·DateJun 17, 2021

Asymptomatic pertussis more common in infants than previously thought

A new study suggests that asymptomatic individuals play a significant role in the transmission of pertussis, with up to 70% of infected mothers displaying no symptoms. The findings challenge traditional approaches to diagnosing and treating patients, highlighting the need for a more nuanced interpretation of qPCR test results.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJun 17, 2021
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.