Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 49


Page 49 of 51

Atmospheric metal layers appear with surprising regularity

Twice a day, a faint layer of metals sinks down through the atmosphere at 90 miles high above Boulder, Colorado. The discovery provides a window into the high-altitude region where interactions between the sun, earth, and magnetic field can create conditions for surface life to thrive.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 2, 2021

Plastic waste in the sea mainly drifts near the coast

Researchers at the University of Bern found that most plastic waste does not end up in open ocean, but instead remains near coastlines or on beaches. The study suggests that regions with large sources of plastic waste, such as Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean, are disproportionately affected.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 2, 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.

Printing a better microgrid

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new particle-free silver microgrid conductor that surpasses traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) in flexible high-performance transparent electrodes. The microgrids demonstrate better transparency, lower roughness, and mechanical durability.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·DateJun 2, 2021

Hexagonal boron nitride's remarkable toughness unmasked

Researchers discovered hexagonal boron nitride's fracture resistance is about 10 times higher than graphene's, due to slight asymmetries in its atomic structure. This finding opens up new possibilities for fabricating tough mechanical metamaterials through engineered structural asymmetry.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateJun 2, 2021

The powerhouse future is flexoelectric

Scientists at the University of Houston have demonstrated giant flexoelectricity in soft elastomers, paving the way for improved robot movement range and self-powered pacemakers. The breakthrough could also enable human-like robots to perform physical tasks with greater flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 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.

Lighting Hydrogels Via Nanomaterials

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new class of hydrogels that can be controlled by light, enabling precise drug delivery and regenerative medicine treatments. The hydrogels are responsive to near-infrared (NIR) light, which has a higher penetration depth than other light sources, allowing for more effective therapy.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 2, 2021

Shining light on two-dimensional magnets

A team of researchers has successfully controlled the magnetic state of two-dimensional van der Waals magnets using light, enabling efficient data storage and fast data processing. By inducing 'magnetic anisotropy' with ultrashort pulses of light, the scientists can manipulate the material's magnetic properties on demand.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 2, 2021

Machine learning brings an early diagnostic for pancreatic cancer a step closer to reality

A new study published in PLOS ONE demonstrates the potential of machine learning to identify high-risk patients with pancreatic cancer up to 2 years before diagnosis. The algorithm achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates, identifying 41% of patients under 60 as high risk and 72% of those diagnosed as having a detectable risk. T...

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why short selling is good for the capital markets

A study by SMU Associate Professor Rencheng Wang found that short selling reduces opportunistic insider sales by 11% in pilot firms, deterring unethical behavior. This suggests that short sellers can play a positive role in capital market development and governance reforms across different institutional environments.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalThe Accounting Review·DateJun 2, 2021

Replicating patients' tumors to test different treatments

Researchers at UNIGE create 3D spheroidal tumor models incorporating tumor cells and patient-specific immune cells to test treatment efficacy. This innovative approach enables personalized treatment options, potentially reducing reliance on animal experiments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCancers·DateJun 2, 2021

Gender differences exist even among university students' wage expectations

A study of university students found that despite optimistic initial expectations, women tended to decrease their expected wages after being informed about the actual wages of similar graduates. In contrast, male students increased their expected wages under the same conditions. The study suggests a persistent gender gap in wage expect...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2021

Understanding feelings: When less is more

Researchers discovered a surprising paradox: as emotional expressions increase in intensity, they become more ambiguous to infer meaning from, with maximal intensity leading to decreased legibility. This challenges prevailing theories of emotion and opens new avenues for understanding affective experience and communication.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 2, 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.

The uneven benefits of CSR efforts

A study by SMU researchers found that corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities have a positive impact on future operating performance, but only in tangible asset-intensive industries such as manufacturing and utilities. For companies in intangible asset-intensive sectors like technology, there is no significant beneficial effect.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateJun 2, 2021

Declining fish biodiversity poses risks for human nutrition

A computer modeling study found that declining fish biodiversity can lead to a decrease in essential nutrients like zinc and iron, exacerbating existing health issues like anemia. The study's findings have significant implications for food security and fisheries sustainability worldwide.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 2, 2021

Bringing order to hydrogen energy devices

Scientists have developed a new approach to improve hydrogen transport in solids, enabling faster movement of negatively charged hydrogen 'anions' at lower temperatures. The breakthrough could lead to more sustainable sources of energy and practical applications in electrochemical devices.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 2, 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.

Low-wage earners spent less time at home during early pandemic lockdown

Researchers tracked mobile phone data from millions of users in US metropolitan areas, finding that lower-income neighborhoods had significantly less time at home during the lockdown. Education level also played a role, with higher-income neighborhoods and those with more college degrees spending more time at home.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalAnnals of the American Association of Geographers·DateJun 1, 2021

Protecting the intellectual abilities of people at risk for psychosis

Researchers found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can reduce deterioration of intellectual abilities in individuals with a microdeletion of chromosome 22. The study suggests a potential neuroprotective effect and opens up new research possibilities.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJun 1, 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.

Why moms take risks to protect their infants

A new study led by Kumi Kuroda at RIKEN Center for Brain Science identified the calcitonin receptor as a crucial brain protein driving nurturing behaviors in mice. The research found that this protein motivates mothers to care for their infants, suppressing self-interest and risk-taking behaviors.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 1, 2021

An academic role model

Kristin Morell, a UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor, has received the National Science Foundation's prestigious CAREER award. The award will fund her research on plate tectonics and provide opportunities for underrepresented students to get involved in geoscience through internships and workshops.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateJun 1, 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.

New method to improve durability of nano-electronic components, further semiconductor manufacturing

Researchers developed a novel approach to mitigate electromigration in nanoscale electronic interconnects by coating copper metal interconnects with hexagonal boron nitride. This innovation enables further scaling of device density and progression of Moore's Law, leading to improved device efficiency and decreased energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJun 1, 2021

Study reveals diverse magnetic fields in solar-type star-forming cores

A new study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers has revealed diverse magnetic field morphologies in Solar-type star-forming cores in the Taurus B213 region. The findings contradict expectations based on theory that magnetic fields regulate star formation.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 1, 2021
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.

SWOG researchers advance cancer care at virtual ASCO 2021

Researchers from SWOG presented results on several studies, including S1216 and S1404, which showed promising findings for patients with prostate and melanoma cancers. Additionally, secondary analyses from S0809 and S1200 revealed benefits of adjuvant chemoradiation and acupuncture for certain cancer types.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·DateJun 1, 2021

COVID-19 simulation shows importance of safety efforts during vaccine distribution

A mathematical simulation by researchers at UNC Health Care shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions like mask-wearing and physical distancing can help prevent COVID-19 spikes as vaccines are distributed. The study found that widespread vaccine adherence and adherence to precautions can lead to a sustained decline in new cases.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 1, 2021

Malaria parasite's partiality for the spleen

A study found that malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax accumulates in the spleen to a greater extent than its relative P. falciparum after infection. Imaging techniques revealed increased glucose metabolism in the spleen of participants infected with P. vivax.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 1, 2021

Turning the tables -- how table corals are regenerating reefs

Researchers found that table corals can recover habitats on the Great Barrier Reef at a rate 14 times higher when abundant, compared to reefs without them. The study highlights the importance of protecting table corals to promote reef recovery and biodiversity.

SourceAustralian Institute of Marine Science·JournalConservation Letters·DateJun 1, 2021

Optic nerve firing may spark growth of vision-threatening childhood tumor

Researchers discovered that neural activity underlying visual signals can ignite and feed tumors in young children with neurofibromatosis type 1. The study found that raising mice in the dark or treating them with an experimental cancer drug slowed tumor growth, suggesting a key role for controlling neuronal activity.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 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.

Scientists demonstrate a better, more eco-friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide

Researchers have developed a more efficient and environmentally friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide by using palladium-gold nanoparticles as a catalyst. The new process produces almost 100% hydrogen peroxide with minimal water formation, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Liberal Arts & Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 1, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Is the U.S. Understating Climate Emissions from Meat and Dairy Production?

A new analysis suggests that U.S. climate emissions from meat and dairy production are being understated due to undercounting of methane emissions. Methane emissions from North American livestock may be 39-90% higher than previously estimated, with potential consequences for global warming.

SourceNew York University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 1, 2021

New evidence may change timeline for when people first arrived in North America

Researchers from Iowa State University discovered radiocarbon dates on rabbit and deer bones that suggest human occupation of the Coxcatlan Cave in Mexico may be up to 20,000 years older than previously thought. The findings could challenge the long-standing theory of human arrival in the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge.

SourceIowa State University·JournalLatin American Antiquity·DateJun 1, 2021

WVU designated as one of only eight ECHO Superhub sites in the US

The West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute Project ECHO program has been recognized as an ECHO Superhub, enabling outreach support to healthcare providers nationwide. With this designation, WVCTSI can offer training and expertise to establish new ECHO programs, reducing health disparities in underserved areas.

SourceWest Virginia University·DateJun 1, 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.

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.

How news coverage affects public trust in science

A study found that exposure to negative news stories about science without context can damage public perceptions of trust and confidence in scientific work. The researchers tested the effects of different narratives on a large group of U.S. adults and found that those who read problem-focused stories were less likely to believe that sc...

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalPublic Understanding of Science·DateJun 1, 2021

Why deep freezing iron-based materials makes them both magnetic and superconducting

Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a new mechanism that enables magnetism and superconductivity to coexist in iron-based materials. The study found that RbEuFe4As4 exhibits both properties below -258°C, which could lead to breakthroughs in green energy technologies and next-generation computer hardware.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 1, 2021

Computer vision: TU Graz researchers define new state of the art

Researchers developed algorithms to solve curvature-dependent image processing problems using convex optimization, inspired by Euler's elastic curves and Gestalt laws of perception. The new models perform as well as current deep-learning algorithms but provide a deeper understanding of the structures learned.

SourceGraz University of Technology·DateJun 1, 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.

Men make more extreme choices and decisions, find scientists

Researchers found that men are more likely to exhibit extreme behaviors in various areas, such as altruism, trust, fairness, and risk-taking. The study suggests that policies aimed at regulating these behaviors should be tailored towards men.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2021

Hi-CO unravels the complex packing of nucleosomes

The Hi-CO technology provides high-resolution genome structural analyses combined with large-scale simulations, showing the arrangements of the genome's spool-like structures affect gene expression. Nucleosome folding influences the inner workings of genes, impacting accessibility of molecules to DNA.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Protocols·DateJun 1, 2021

Precise data for improved coastline protection

Researchers at TUM have conducted comprehensive measurements of sea level rises in the Baltic Sea and North Sea with millimeter accuracy. The new method provides reliable forecasts on sea level trends, enabling planning of protective measures such as flood protection structures.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJun 1, 2021

Researchers Fine-Tune Control Over AI Image Generation

A new state-of-the-art method for controlling AI image generation has been developed by researchers at North Carolina State University. The approach allows users to retain certain characteristics across a series of images and manipulate specific elements while maintaining their identifiability. This technique has applications in fields...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateJun 1, 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.