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Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 26


Page 26 of 51

Bruisable artificial skin could help prosthetics, robots sense injuries

Researchers have developed an artificial skin that senses force through ionic signals and changes color from yellow to purple when damaged, mimicking human bruising. This innovation opens up new opportunities for detecting damage in prosthetic devices and robotics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 16, 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.

'Wonder material' can be used to detect COVID-19 quickly, accurately

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a graphene-based sensor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory experiments. The sensor uses atomic-level vibrations to identify COVID-positive samples, with results evident in under five minutes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 16, 2021

Association of cannabis use during adolescence with neurodevelopment

A recent study found that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with reduced thickness in certain brain areas, according to researchers at the University of Vermont. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain structure and suggest a possible link between early cannabis use and neurodevelopmental changes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 16, 2021

Keeping strawberries fresh using bioactive packaging

A new bioactive packaging film made of chitosan, essential oils and nanoparticles can keep strawberries fresh for up to 12 days. The film has been tested against several types of pathogens, including Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalFood Hydrocolloids·DateJun 16, 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.

Can biodegradable polymers live up to the hype?

Key findings suggest PHA's rapid biodegradability is overstated in real-world conditions, but it remains a better alternative to non-biodegradable plastics. Several companies are planning to switch their packaging to PHA-based materials soon.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 16, 2021

Ocean circulation is key to understanding uncertainties in climate change predictions

Thirty state-of-the-art IPCC-climate models predict varying climates for Europe due to differing simulations of North Atlantic ocean currents. The analysis highlights the importance of incorporating ocean circulation into climate models, suggesting that uncertainties in predictions may be largely dependent on changes to this circulation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Online mental health therapy significantly aids the isolated, immunosuppressed in pandemic

Researchers found that online mental health intervention improved anxiety and depression in people with scleroderma, a disease causing skin and connective tissue tightening. The four-week program offered group mental health intervention from trained peer support leaders, resulting in significant improvements six weeks later.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·DateJun 16, 2021

Anna M. Sawka, MD, Ph.D. appointed incoming Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid®

Dr. Anna M. Sawka, a renowned Clinician Scientist and Endocrinologist, has been appointed the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid, the Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association. She will lead the journal in advancing scientific publication in the field of Thyroidology.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThyroid·DateJun 16, 2021

Quantum-nonlocality at all speeds

Quantum nonlocality is a universal property that prevails regardless of particle speed or indeterminacy. Researchers designed an experiment to test this phenomenon, using the principle of physical phenomena being independent of frame of reference, to prove nonlocality for any quantum particle.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 16, 2021

How do immune cells get activated?

Researchers at Université de Genève and University of Basel study the structure of cellular receptors and molecules that activate immune cells. They discovered a 'lock and key' mechanism involving specific amino acids in chemokine structures, allowing for fine-tuning of immune system activation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 16, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Space scientists solve a decades-long gamma-ray burst puzzle

A team of UK scientists has confirmed a decades-long theoretical prediction about gamma-ray bursts. They measured the magnetic field in a far-off Gamma-Ray Burst and found it was scrambled after the ejected material crashed into, and shocked, the surrounding medium. This discovery sheds new light on these extreme cosmic blasts.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 16, 2021

Icebergs drifting from Canada to southern Florida

Researchers found evidence of massive icebergs drifting from Northeast Canada to southern Florida using high-resolution seafloor mapping and radiocarbon dating. The discovery provides insight into the interactions between icebergs/glaciers and climate, shedding light on how past changes in freshwater forcing influenced shifts in climate.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2021

Public concern on human health impact of plastic pollution

A large-scale survey found that both Europeans and Australians are highly concerned about the human health impact of marine plastic pollution, ranking it as a top threat. The study suggests a need for more research into the potential impacts on human health to inform policy and decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJun 16, 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.

New beetle species discovered and named after iconic sci-fi heroines

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered over three dozen new ambrosia beetle species previously unknown to science. These beetles are named after female science fiction characters, such as Nyota Uhura and Katniss Everdeen, highlighting the importance of biodiversity classification.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 16, 2021

Researchers find human infant brains, bodies are active during new sleep stage

A study by University of Iowa researchers found that human infants exhibit increased twitching during quiet sleep, which is synchronized with brain oscillations called sleep spindles. This discovery suggests that babies are learning about their bodies through twitching during a previously thought to be inactive period.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 16, 2021

Omega-3s may hold key to unlocking blood-brain barrier

Researchers have visualized the structure of the MFSD2A transporter protein, which allows omega-3s to enter the brain. The study provides insight into how this protein can be used to design drugs that mimic omega-3s and hijack the system for neurological treatment.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJun 16, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Yeast mating -- more than meets the eye

Researchers discovered an asymmetrical behavior in isogamous yeast, where MATa cells exhibit exploratory search and MATα cells display short-range gradient sensing. This finding challenges previous assumptions on the evolutionary origins of sexual dimorphism.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 16, 2021

UBCO researchers identify best strategy to reduce human-bear conflict

Researchers used computer modelling to simulate bears' journeys in Whistler, identifying anthropogenic food as a major attractant. The study found that reducing attractants is more effective than reactive management strategies, and can be applied to communities across Canada

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalEcological Modelling·DateJun 16, 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.

Machine learning can now reduce worry about nanoparticles in food

Researchers at Texas A&M University used machine learning to evaluate metallic nanoparticles' susceptibility for plant uptake. The algorithm indicates how much plants accumulate nanoparticles in their roots and shoots, providing a safer approach to nanotechnology in agriculture.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 16, 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.

What factors put Philippine birds at risk of extinction?

A new study from the University of Utah reveals that more bird species in the Philippines may be endangered than previously thought, including those yet to be discovered. The research identifies key traits that make certain species more at risk of extinction, such as narrow elevation ranges and dependence on forests.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJun 16, 2021

Bats in Switzerland harbor diverse viruses, some potentially zoonotic

A study of 18 bat species in Switzerland revealed 39 different viral families, with 16 infecting vertebrates and potentially posing a risk to humans. A near-complete genome of an MERS-CoV-related virus was also identified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of viruses carried by bats.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 16, 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.

Bacteria used to clean diesel-polluted soil in Greenland

Researchers found that bacteria can break down up to 82% of contaminated soil in five years through the landfarming method, a new approach for Arctic regions. The study demonstrates the potential of naturally occurring bacteria to remediate diesel pollution at abandoned military installations.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateJun 16, 2021

Junk food diet may boost risk of dangerous driving among truck/lorry drivers

A junk food diet may increase the risk of dangerous driving among truck/lorry drivers by boosting fatigue. The study found that vegetable-rich and staple food diets were associated with safe driving behaviours, while animal protein and snack diets were linked to higher rates of errors and unsafe behaviour.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJun 15, 2021

EMBO Gold Medal 2021 awarded to Andrea Ablasser

Andrea Ablasser is awarded the EMBO Gold Medal 2021 for her groundbreaking research on how cells recognize double-stranded DNA as a danger signal. Her work may pave the way for therapeutic opportunities for inflammatory conditions and cancer treatment.

SourceEMBO·DateJun 15, 2021
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.

Rapid exclusion of COVID-19 infection using AI, EKG technology

An AI-enhanced EKG can detect subtle electrical changes in the heart associated with COVID-19 infection, offering a potential rapid and reliable screening test. The technology achieved positive predictive values of up to 37% and negative predictive values of 99.2% in real-world populations.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJun 15, 2021

Scientists discover unreported plant body part

Researchers from The Pennsylvania State University have discovered a previously unreported structure called the 'cantil' in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana. Cantils are rare structures that develop under specific conditions and provide important clues for understanding plant growth and development.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDevelopment·DateJun 15, 2021

Plants use a blend of external influences to evolve defense mechanisms

A study published in eLife reveals how plants produce defence chemicals that vary across Europe due to genetic variation, environmental pressures, and geographical location. The research found that different regions have unique profiles of these chemical compounds, shaped by factors such as weather conditions and landscape features.

SourceeLife·DateJun 15, 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.

Brain cell membranes' lipids may play big role in Alzheimer's progression

A study by Aarhus University suggests that changes in lipid composition within the brain cell membrane can weaken the protective effect of a protein dimerization process, leading to increased release of toxic amyloid-beta peptides. The researchers propose targeting lipid modulation as a novel strategy for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiointerphases·DateJun 15, 2021

New Web Tool Fights Antibacterial Resistance

A new web tool, webSalvador, offers more accurate methods for constructing confidence intervals and comparing mutation rates in bacteria mutation research. This tool eliminates the need for scientists to learn programming languages, increasing efficiency and efficacy of the Luria-Delbrück experiment.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateJun 15, 2021

Medication may help heavy-drinking smokers improve their health

A recent UCLA clinical trial has shown encouraging results in helping daily smokers who are also heavy drinkers quit smoking and cut down their alcohol intake. The study found that nearly 36% of participants had quit smoking, with varenicline alone showing a highly encouraging quit rate.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 15, 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.

How political bias impacts believing sexual assault victims

A study published in Violence Against Women found that political biases strongly influence attitudes towards sexual assault. Both Republicans and Democrats tend to blame victims more when strongly identifying with their party affiliation. The researchers also discovered that partisan identity often supersedes gender in shaping these at...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalViolence Against Women·DateJun 15, 2021

Receptor location plays a key role in their function

New study reveals that the location of beta1 and beta2 receptors on heart muscle cells determines their functional effects, with beta1 receptors triggering persistent changes and gene activation. This knowledge could lead to more targeted therapies for chronic heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 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.

Young adults' alcohol use increases when casually dating

A Washington State University study of over 700 young adults aged 18-25 found that those casually dating drank more than those in serious relationships or not interested in dating. This contrasts with previous research showing young adults in relationships tend to drink less.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·DateJun 15, 2021

Fuel flow, heat fluctuations drive dangerous oscillations in rocket engines

Researchers have discovered that power source clusters near rocket engine fuel injectors can cause combustion oscillations, leading to structural damage and unsafe operating conditions. The study uses symbolic dynamics and complex networks to understand the feedback processes that give rise to these oscillations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJun 15, 2021