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Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 46


Page 46 of 51

Five million years of climate change preserved in one place

A 5-million-year-old sedimentary record at Charyn Canyon provides a rare insight into long-term land-climate feedback mechanisms. The analysis revealed increasing aridity over the past five million years, with short-term fluctuations influenced by westerly winds and the Siberian high-pressure system.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJun 3, 2021

Preclinical research reveals that new IgM antibodies administered intranasally to fight COVID-19 more potent than commonly used ones

A new engineered IgM antibody therapy has been found to be significantly more potent than standard IgG antibodies at neutralizing the COVID-19 virus in animal models. The therapy, IGM-6268, demonstrated increased potency against emerging variants of concern and variants of interest.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 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.

How quantum dots can 'talk' to each other

Researchers have successfully simulated the interaction of two quantum dots, exchanging energy controlled by light. The study's results are promising for experimental research and development in various fields, including qubit development and photocatalysis.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateJun 3, 2021

Genetic base editing treats sickle cell disease in mice

Researchers used base editing to convert a pathogenic hemoglobin gene to a benign variant, rescuing disease symptoms in animal models and enabling long-lasting production of healthy blood cells. The treatment successfully edited up to 80% of the mutated gene in human blood stem cells and maintained its effects in mice for 16 weeks.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 2021

Are wind farms slowing each other down?

A recent study by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon found that wind farms in the North Sea experience a significant slowing down of wind speeds when built close together, leading to reduced power output and economic consequences.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 3, 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.

Filter membrane renders viruses harmless

A new water filter membrane made from natural raw materials has been developed to render viruses harmless. The membrane combines protein nanofibrils with iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles to eliminate a wide range of water-borne viruses, including those causing gastrointestinal infections, with great efficiency.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 3, 2021

Nanoscale sensors measure elusive water levels in leaves

Researchers at Cornell University developed a minimally invasive method to measure water potential in leaves using nanoscale sensors and fiber optics. This technology enables the study of basic plant biology, advances breeding more drought-resistant crops.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2021

Quantum-optically integrated light cage on a chip

Researchers from several institutions have successfully integrated a novel on-chip hollow-core light cage into an alkali atom vapor cell, overcoming previous limitations. The device exhibits high-speed gas diffusion and long-term stability, enabling integration with other technology platforms.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJun 3, 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.

Puppies are born ready to communicate with people, study shows

Researchers found that puppies demonstrate human-like social skills from a young age, with a strong genetic component. They can reciprocate human social gaze and use information given by humans in social contexts, even before extensive experience with humans.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 3, 2021

Researchers design simulation tool to predict disease, pest spread

A computer simulation tool called PoPS predicts when and where pests and diseases will attack crops or forests, helping manage strategies and pesticide applications. The tool improves with data feedback from natural resource managers, enabling more accurate predictions of future spread.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJun 3, 2021

Did heat from impacts on asteroids provide the ingredients for life on Earth?

Research suggests that heat generated by asteroid impacts could enable aqueous alteration and organic solid formation, increasing the number of potential sources of water and life's origins. The study found that craters over 1km in radius can support organic substance formation within a 2 AU distance from the impact point.

SourceKobe University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJun 3, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

You're more likely to fight misinformation if you think others are being duped

A study found that people in the US and China who believe others are being misled by misinformation are more likely to take corrective actions, such as fact-checking and reporting. The study suggests highlighting the impact of misinformation on others can increase public support for addressing it.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 3, 2021

Beneficial arthropods find winter sanctuary in uncultivated field edges, study finds

A new study found that beneficial arthropods are nearly twice as abundant and diverse in uncultivated field edges than in cropped areas. The edges, which were rich in flowers and broad-leaved plants, provided a winter sanctuary for the beneficial bugs, making them more useful to farmers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Insect Science·DateJun 3, 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.

Athletic competition after COVID

Researchers from Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center found no evidence of myocardial injury or myocarditis in athletes after COVID-19 infection. Most athletes had mild symptoms and normal cardiac test results.

SourceLe Bonheur Children's Hospital·JournalCirculation·DateJun 3, 2021

Breast cancer patients embrace integrative health during treatment

A national survey of breast cancer patients and oncologists reveals that nearly three-quarters of patients use complementary medicine during treatment, yet doctors often fail to discuss integrative health with patients. Patients report finding hope and improving quality of life through these therapies.

SourceThe Reis Group·DateJun 3, 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.

Puppies are wired to communicate with people, study shows

Researchers found that puppies as young as 8 weeks old demonstrate social communication skills, such as following pointing gestures and engaging in eye contact. Genetics explain more than 40% of the variation in puppies' abilities, suggesting an innate capacity for human interaction.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 3, 2021

Computer simulations visualize in atomic detail how DNA opens

Computer simulations reveal that DNA sequence and histone tails play crucial roles in nucleosome breathing, a motion essential for gene expression regulation. The findings provide unprecedented insights into the mechanisms that control chromatin dynamics.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 3, 2021

Novel antibody drug wakes up the body's defense system in advanced-stage cancer

Researchers at the University of Turku discovered a novel antibody treatment that reactivates the immune defense system in patients with advanced-stage cancer. The treatment activates killer T cells and lowers the suppressive potential of macrophages, leading to increased inflammation and white blood cell activity.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJun 3, 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.

Water droplets become hydrobots by adding magnetic beads

Scientists create hydrobot, a small water droplet manipulated by magnetic beads, for various applications. Hydrobot can move with precision and even stop at random, making it suitable for dust collection and surface cleaning.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJun 3, 2021

Let's talk about the elephant in the data

Computer scientists study the role of prior knowledge in machine learning tasks, considering philosophical frameworks that combine elements of rationalism and empiricism. This approach aims to improve the accuracy of complex systems by incorporating human-like reasoning and flexibility.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJun 3, 2021

High-intensity strength and impact training attenuates skeletal aging

Regular strength and impact-type training decreases or prevents age-related bone loss, according to a new study at the University of Jyväskylä. High-intensity training preserves trabecular bone density and cross-sectional geometry, supporting its benefits for bone health.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJun 3, 2021

AI outperforms humans in creating cancer treatments, but do doctors trust it?

A study by Princess Margaret researchers found that AI-generated radiation treatments were deemed clinically acceptable for patients in most cases, with 89% of ML-treatments preferred over human-generated ones. However, physician preferences changed when actual treatment was at stake, reducing the use of ML-generated treatments to 61%....

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 3, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

CO2 emissions are rebounding, but clean energy revolutions are emerging

Global clean energy technology adoption is growing at a rapid pace, particularly in niche markets like Norway and California for electric vehicles, Ireland for wind power, and China for electric buses and new nuclear. These pioneers are crucial to addressing climate change by developing and deploying low-carbon technologies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Energy·DateJun 3, 2021

Predictive model identifies patients for genetic testing

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center developed a predictive model to identify patients who may benefit from genetic testing based on routine information in electronic health records. The model accurately classified over 87% of cases and 96% of controls, and identified potential patients with rare undiagnosed diseases.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 3, 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.

COVID's impact on pregnancy, birth trends

The COVID-19 pandemic initially slowed down conception rates, but a baby surge is expected as pregnancy volumes rebound. Researchers at Michigan Medicine used electronic health records to model pregnancy episodes and project changes in pregnancy volumes during the pandemic.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 3, 2021

A shark mystery millions of years in the making

A massive die-off of sharks occurred 19 million years ago, with more than 70% of the world's sharks dying off - a phenomenon not seen since the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event 66 million years ago.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2021

Combination of early reading programs helps with kindergarten readiness

A Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study found that a combination of two early reading programs improved kindergarten readiness by 15.4 percentage points over three years. The Reach Out and Read/Imagination Library program boosted preliteracy skills, improving school success.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJun 3, 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.

A new water treatment technology could also help Mars explorers

A team of engineers at UC Riverside has developed a catalyst that removes perchlorate from water, which is abundant in Martian soil. The new technology could help produce oxygen for human explorers on Mars.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 3, 2021

Passing the acid test: New low-pH system recycles more carbon into valuable products

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new electrochemical system that converts more than 50% of CO2 into valuable products. The system runs under acidic conditions, which reduces undesired side reactions and enhances efficiency, making it an economically viable solution for carbon capture and utilization.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2021

Front-row view reveals exceptional cosmic explosion

Scientists have recorded the most energetic radiation and longest gamma-ray afterglow of a gamma-ray burst, revealing similar spectral characteristics between X-ray and very-high energy gamma-rays. This challenge to established theory highlights the need for further studies of very-high energy GRB afterglow emission.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2021

Is elevated level of lung protein an early predictor for COPD?

Researchers from UNC School of Medicine discovered that MUC5AC is more reliably associated with COPD manifestation than another mucus protein, revealing a possible biomarker for disease initiation and prognosis. Elevated levels of MUC5AC in non-smokers who developed COPD suggest it could predict disease progression.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateJun 3, 2021

Extreme rainfall: More accurate predictions in a changing climate

A new study using Regional Climate Models (RCMs) at kilometer scale has shown significant improvements in simulating extreme rainfall events. The RCMs outperform lower resolution models, especially during summer months, providing more accurate predictions for policymakers to adapt to climate change.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalClimate Dynamics·DateJun 3, 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.

Scientists discover new approach to stabilize cathode materials

Researchers discovered that a valence gradient can serve as a new approach for stabilizing high-nickel-content cathode materials against degradation and safety issues. By isolating the valence gradient from concentration gradient, they confirmed its critical role in battery performance.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2021

How to obtain immune bovine milk to strengthen the body against COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Córdoba discovered that bovine milk contains antibodies that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2, potentially providing a natural source of immunity. The study found that consuming dairy preparations with high levels of these antibodies may help control infection and prevent disease.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJun 3, 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.

Targeted 'radioligand' improves survival in advanced prostate cancer

A new treatment option has been developed to improve survival and disease control in men with advanced prostate cancer. The targeted radioligand therapy significantly extended survival and delayed progression, with a substantial effect given the high progression of disease despite previous treatments.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateJun 3, 2021

Electrochemical cell harvests lithium from seawater

Researchers at KAUST developed an electrochemical cell using a ceramic membrane to extract lithium ions from seawater. The process yields solid lithium phosphate with minimal impurities, making it suitable for battery production.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJun 3, 2021

The biodegradable battery

Researchers developed a biodegradable supercapacitor that can store electricity for hours, withstand thousands of charge cycles, and degrade naturally. The device uses a combination of cellulose nanofibers, carbon, and glycerin to achieve its capabilities.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 3, 2021
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.

How HIV infection shrinks the brain's white matter

Researchers found that HIV prevents oligodendrocytes from maturing, reducing myelin production. The virus secretes glutamate, which activates the integrated stress response, further disrupting cell development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalGlia·DateJun 2, 2021

Sinai Health scientists provide detailed map to understanding human cells

Researchers at Sinai Health have developed a new tool to better understand the organization of living human cells. By creating a detailed map of protein localization across all compartments in human cells, the team has gained valuable insights into cellular function and disease mechanisms.

SourceLunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 2, 2021