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Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 3


Page 3 of 51

Diaries of infection preventionists give inside look at the unsung heroes of the pandemic

A diary kept by infection preventionists during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic reveals the fear, lack of confidence, and shortages of personal protective equipment faced by frontline medical workers. The surveys also highlight the increased visibility and importance gained by IPs among medical teams.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJun 30, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in cattle

New research from the University of Georgia reveals that 60% of cattle fecal samples contain multiple antibiotic-resistant salmonella strains, which can cause severe illness in people. CRISPR-SeroSeq technology identifies molecular signatures in bacteria's DNA, allowing for more sensitive detection of resistant strains.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateJun 30, 2021

Human stem cells enable model to test drug impact on brain's blood barrier

A new experimental model using human stem cells successfully tested the impact of a next-generation anti-inflammatory drug on the brain's blood-brain barrier. The results showed that the breakdown of the barrier is more complex than previously thought and can be prevented with antioxidants.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalSmall·DateJun 30, 2021

Investigational malaria vaccine gives strong, lasting protection

A new malaria vaccine has shown unprecedentedly high levels of durable protection in phase 1 trials, potentially reversing the stalled decline of global malaria. The vaccine combines live parasites with antimalarial drugs and has induced sterile hepatic immunity.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateJun 30, 2021

COVID-19 bereavement care lacking for ethnic minorities

UK researchers found a lack of awareness and access to proper bereavement support among ethnic minority communities, with limited evidence on suitable services. The review emphasizes the need for involving community members in service development and delivery to meet specific needs.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 30, 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.

New research moves novel gene therapy for heart failure closer to the clinic

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a novel gene therapy that shows promise in treating human heart failure. The treatment targets the Hippo signaling pathway, which can inhibit heart repair, and has been shown to improve heart function and promote tissue renewal in pig models after a heart attack.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 30, 2021

Multitalented filaments in living cells

Intermediate filaments play a crucial role in maintaining cellular stability, elasticity, and resistance to mechanical stress. The study reveals the physical effects that determine their properties and how they interact with each other in networks.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2021

Researchers create better method to predict offshore wind power

Rutgers researchers have created a machine learning model that uses real-world meteorological data and physics-based simulations to improve the prediction of offshore wind power. The model achieved accuracy improvements of up to 91% over traditional methods, highlighting its potential for supporting the growth of renewable energy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalApplied Energy·DateJun 29, 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.

10 years later: How Syrian refugee-led supply networks improve quality of life

A new case study reveals how Syrian refugees in the Za'atari camp leveraged social capital to create informal economic systems, improving their quality of life. The study dispels the notion of refugees as passive aid recipients, instead asserting a refugee camp as a society with complex social systems.

SourcePortland State University·JournalJournal of Operations Management·DateJun 29, 2021

Bronze Age: how the market began

Researchers found that Bronze Age weight systems emerged gradually in a westward spread from Mesopotamia to Europe, with similar units of weight used across the region. The study suggests that free entrepreneurship drove the emergence of accurate weight systems, enabling merchants to interact freely and establish profitable partnerships.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2021

Rattlesnakes may like climate change

A new Cal Poly study suggests rattlesnakes will thrive in a warming climate, with preferred body temperatures ranging from 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit. This could lead to longer hunting seasons and reduced energy needs for survival.

SourceCalifornia Polytechnic State University·DateJun 29, 2021

Identifying a topological fingerprint

A team of researchers has identified an unconventional Hall effect driven by the Berry curvature, which is exclusive to semiconductor hole systems. This discovery is a major breakthrough in the search for topological effects in non-equilibrium systems.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·DateJun 29, 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.

Decline of dinosaurs underway long before asteroid fell

Dinosaurs were in decline 76 million years ago due to extinctions outpacing speciations, with herbivores being particularly affected. The asteroid impact may have been the final blow, triggered by a 7°C drop in global temperature and changes in oceanic circulation patterns.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2021

How a COVID-19 infection changes blood cells in the long run

Researchers found that COVID-19 significantly changes the size and stiffness of red and white blood cells, which may contribute to impaired circulation, oxygen transport, and increased risk of vascular occlusions. These changes can last for months after an infection, explaining long COVID symptoms.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJun 29, 2021

Leicester expert leads ground breaking invention on battery recycling

Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a new method to recycle electric vehicle batteries using ultrasonic waves, which separates valuable materials from electrodes more efficiently. The technique recovers around 80% of original material in a purer state than current methods, making it faster and greener.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 29, 2021

Success in reversing dementia in mice sets the stage for human clinical trials

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a novel disease-modifying therapeutic candidate SAK3 that rescues neurons in most protein-misfolding neurodegenerative diseases. SAK3 administration significantly prevented progression of neurodegenerative behaviors, including cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction.

SourceTohoku University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateJun 29, 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.

Hot nights confuse circadian clocks in rice, hurting crop yields

Researchers found that warmer nights alter the rice plant's biological schedule, causing hundreds of genes to be expressed earlier or later than usual. This disrupts the finely tuned timing necessary for optimal yield, leading to crop losses.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2021

COVID-19: Reduced sense of taste and smell lingers

A new study from Aarhus University found that patients with mild COVID-19 infections experience a significantly increased longer lasting reduced sense of taste and smell, which is also the case for long-term shortness of breath. Women and the elderly are particularly affected by these symptoms.

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJun 29, 2021

Fruit flies lose their virginity lightly - and then become choosy

Female fruit flies undergo a behavioral change after mating, becoming more selective towards males with higher levels of aphrodisiac pheromone. This preference is induced by the juvenile hormone and reduces their sensitivity to pheromones, leading them to prefer males with more attractive scents.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJun 29, 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.

Hackensack Meridian CDI scientists discover new tuberculosis treatment pathway

Scientists from Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation have uncovered the mechanism of action of a novel anti-tuberculosis drug, triaza-coumarin, which is effective in inhibiting TB disease from within by boosting its on-target activity by two orders of magnitude.

SourceHackensack Meridian Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2021

Data-driven approach for a more sustainable utility rate structure

A new rate plan aims to benefit individuals who use less power or utilize solar power, while those with high peak usage pay more. The system uses electric smart meters and a grid access fee to approximate the impact of end-users' time-varying demand on local distribution networks.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalUtilities Policy·DateJun 29, 2021

Making seawater drinkable in minutes

Researchers developed a stable performance electrospun nanofiber membrane to turn seawater into drinking water without wetting issues. The membrane can operate for 30 days with high salt rejection rates, making it suitable for long-term membrane distillation applications.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalJournal of Membrane Science·DateJun 29, 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.

AAFP releases updated feline senior care guidelines to the veterinary community

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has released updated feline senior care guidelines, which provide emerging advances in feline medicine with respect to the aging cat. The guidelines emphasize the individual senior patient and recognize the impact caring for an aging cat has on the cat owner.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateJun 29, 2021

Sustainable mining of raw materials from thermal springs in Chile

The BrineMine project develops strategies and technologies to extract valuable resources while minimizing environmental impact. Researchers have identified a method for efficient silica removal, enabling simultaneous extraction of drinking water and mineral resources.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalGeothermics·DateJun 29, 2021

Strategies to speed global vaccine availability

A new paper proposes actions to increase access, speed time to market, and decrease costs of vaccines globally. Regulatory harmonization, manufacturing capacity building, and streamlined IP arrangements are key opportunities to address challenges in vaccine development and deployment.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalVaccine X·DateJun 29, 2021

Study shows effectiveness of suppressing female fruit flies

Researchers developed transgenic strains of Drosophila suzukii that produce only males, using a common antibiotic as an off switch. The study found that releasing excess transgenic males into laboratory cage trials effectively suppressed female offspring.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPest Management Science·DateJun 29, 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.

A 50% rise in the level of CO2 could reduce rainfall in the Amazon more than deforestation

A new study suggests that a 50% increase in atmospheric CO2 could lead to a 12% annual drop in Amazon rainfall, surpassing the impact of complete forest replacement with pasture. The researchers ran simulations showing that reduced transpiration and leaf area would result in less water vapor emission, leading to decreased rainfall.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBiogeosciences·DateJun 29, 2021

Cooked crustaceans, cannabis and a budder way

A study by University of California San Diego researchers found that lobsters can absorb vaporized THC through their gills and exhibit reduced locomotor activity. However, the effects on detection of hot water stimuli were minimal, leaving it unclear whether this constitutes feeling pain.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior·DateJun 29, 2021

Journalism fellowships will highlight new developments in aging

The Gerontological Society of America's Journalists in Aging Fellows Program aims to educate journalists about issues in aging and disseminate information on new scientific findings. The fellowship program has supported over 700 news stories, equipping reporters with accurate fact-based coverage for diverse audiences.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateJun 29, 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.

Cancer neuroscientists identify a key culprit behind pediatric brain cancer's spread

Research led by USC investigators reveals that the ABAT enzyme helps medulloblastoma cells feed on GABA in cerebrospinal fluid, allowing them to survive and resist treatment. The study also shows that high levels of ABAT enable medulloblastoma metastases to evade treatment and spread to other parts of the central nervous system.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 29, 2021

How environmental factors could provide for a young brain

Researchers discovered that stimulating environments preserve a young DNA methylation landscape in the aged mouse hippocampus, leading to greater neuroplasticity. This finding suggests that active lives may help preserve mental fitness in old age, with implications for human brain health and disease prevention.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2021

Steering wind turbines creates greater energy potential

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign designed controllers to optimize wind turbine performance by considering downstream effects, resulting in noticeable gains. The study demonstrates that incorporating networked wind farms and time-dependent wind estimation models can improve power extraction.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJun 29, 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.

Stock markets becoming increasingly networked due to high-frequency traders

Researchers studied the role of high-frequency traders in stock markets, finding that their presence increases market volatility and networked structure. The study reveals that high-frequency traders prefer to trade with other types of traders but avoid mutual trading among themselves.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2021

Dartmouth research turns up the heat on 3D printing inks

Researchers at Dartmouth College have created a novel process for 3D printing inks that can be activated by heat and moisture, allowing for the creation of complex objects with varying mechanical strengths. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of 3D printing by enabling the creation of single-ink solutions for...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalChem·DateJun 29, 2021

New work showcases the chemistry of an upcoming fuel cell electrolyte

Researchers from University of Tsukuba have demonstrated successive proton transport mechanism in a material that may be a future source of reliable primary and backup power. The study reveals the chemistry underlying this phenomenon, which has implications for improving fuel cell efficiency and stability.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJun 29, 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.

A new piece of the quantum computing puzzle

Research from Washington University in St. Louis has found an efficient two-bit quantum logic gate that uses a new form of light, increasing efficiency by orders of magnitude. The discovery was made possible by the unique features of measurement and the existence of photonic dimers.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review A·DateJun 29, 2021

Scientists mine the rich seam of body wearable motion sensors

A new study from the University of Bath finds that strategically placed garment seams with conductive yarn can accurately track body motion, identifying subtle movements not picked up by popular fitness trackers. This technology has potential applications in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and sports performance.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateJun 29, 2021

Turning plastic into foam to combat pollution

A team of researchers from the University of Canterbury has developed a method to turn previously non-recyclable biodegradable plastic into a foam that can be used as insulation in walls or flotation devices. The process involves dissolving carbon dioxide into the plastic, creating foaming.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJun 29, 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.

'Edge of chaos' opens pathway to artificial intelligence discoveries

Scientists at the University of Sydney and Japan's National Institute for Material Science discover an artificial network of nanowires can be tuned to respond in a brain-like way when electrically stimulated. By keeping the network at the edge of chaos, it performs tasks at an optimal level, suggesting neural intelligence is physical.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2021

Using light to treat drug-resistant tumors

Researchers have developed a chemical compound that produces a powerful oxygen reaction when exposed to light, selectively killing cancer cells while leaving surrounding tissue intact. The photodrug is currently in clinical trials for patients with recurring bladder cancer resistant to traditional therapies.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJun 29, 2021

Study seeks to understand, prevent ice recrystalization

Scientists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are working on developing biobased peptides to restrict ice crystal growth in freezing temperatures. Successful methods could improve frozen food quality, increase crop resistance to freezing temperatures, and enhance biomedical research.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateJun 29, 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.

A world first! Visualizing atomic-scale structures with the optical force

Scientists at Osaka University successfully mapped the three-dimensional forces acting on quantum dots with unprecedented subnanometer resolution, opening up new avenues for nanotechnology and optical manipulation. This breakthrough could lead to advances in photocatalysts and optical tweezers.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2021