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Science News Archive March 2021


Page 13 of 53

Glycans are crucial in COVID-19 infection

Research reveals glycans on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein play key role in structural changes during cell invasion. Glycans help stabilize Down-form structure and facilitate change to Up-form upon electrostatic repulsion.

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.

E. Coli calculus: Bacteria find the derivative optimally

Researchers from The University of Tokyo have shown that the standard model biologists use to describe bacterial chemotaxis is mathematically equivalent to optimal dynamics. By using nonlinear filtering theory, they found that the system used by bacteria is indeed optimal for efficient sensing and adaptation in noisy environments.

A mathematician's journey in Edo Japan

Historical documents reveal that mathematician Mitsuyoshi Yoshida was invited by the Kumamoto clan to stay in Kumamoto from Kyoto between 1636 and 1637. He brought cutting-edge knowledge of arithmetic systems, civil engineering, and hydraulic technologies. The documents also show that he will be paid for his services, including rice pr...

New cancer immunotherapy recruits help from lymphatic vessels

Researchers developed a new vaccine that uses a patient's own tumor cells to train the immune system to find and kill cancer, promoting a broad and robust immune response. The therapy has shown long-term efficacy against metastasis and relapse in mouse models, offering potential for treatment of various cancers.

Miscarriage linked to increased risk of early death

Women who experience a miscarriage are more likely to die prematurely due to cardiovascular disease. Research found that miscarriages, especially those occurring early in life or recurrently, can signal an increased risk of premature health risks.

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.

Want to learn to change a tire? Virtual reality could help

A study by PLOS ONE found that virtual reality training with augmented multisensory cues improves user experience during training and task performance in the real world. The findings suggest that this technology can be a valuable tool for teaching essential skills like car maintenance.

Zooming in on muscle cells

Researchers at Max Planck Institute used electron cryo-tomography to obtain detailed images of frozen muscle tissue, revealing the three-dimensional organisation of sarcomeres and their interacting filaments. The study provides new insights into muscle contraction and relaxation mechanisms.

Doubling down on headache pain

A combination of metoclopramide and diphenhydramine has been shown to reduce headache pain by more than five points in people who experienced a head trauma. However, the study's results may not be generalizable due to the participants' limited socioeconomic access.

Want a healthier home? Start with your couch

A new study shows that replacing couches with no added flame retardants significantly decreases levels of toxic chemicals in household dust. Replacing foam inside cushions is also effective, confirming that choosing healthier furniture can make a big difference in people's everyday exposures to these toxic chemicals.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New study finds false memories can be reversed

A new study from the University of Portsmouth and Universities of Hagen and Mainz found that false memories can be reversed using specific interview techniques. The research involved implanting false memories in participants and then using strategies to help them retract these false recollections, while leaving their true memories intact.

Semiconductor qubits scale in two dimensions

Researchers from QuTech at Delft University of Technology successfully demonstrated the control and coupling of four-qubit gates in a two-dimensional array of germanium-based semiconductor qubits. This achievement marks an important step toward dense, extended, two-dimensional semiconductor qubit grids.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Family ties protect against opioid misuse among U.S. young adults

A recent study by Syracuse University and Pennsylvania State University reveals that unmarried young adults without children are mostly likely to misuse opioids. The researchers found that the presence of children in the household is associated with lower probabilities of prescription opioid and heroin use, especially among those who h...

Even small levels of nitrate in drinking water results in smaller babies

A major new study from Denmark and USA finds that even small amounts of nitrates in mothers' drinking water result in smaller babies, with an average weight loss of 10 grams. The study, which analyzed over 850,000 births, challenges the current threshold value for nitrate levels in drinking water.

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.

Vaccine science and side effects: How news messages affect views on vaccination

A study by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that news coverage of expert scientific evidence on vaccine safety increases public acceptance of vaccines. In contrast, personal narratives about real side effects diminish the positive effect of such messages. The experiment tested six video clips featuring experts an...

Children exposed to tobacco smoke use more emergent health services

Children exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to use emergent health services, leading to higher costs and toll on the nation's healthcare system. The study highlights the need for prevention strategies such as standardized interventions in urgent care settings and promoting smoke-free home and car policies.

Medical imaging dimensionality mismatch

Researchers investigated how observers perform in 2D and 3D image localization tasks, finding that they often treat volumetric images as stacks of independent 2D images. This leads to inefficiencies in target localization, especially for smaller targets in 3D images.

Group testing method developed for COVID-19

Researchers have proposed a new group testing method for COVID-19 that allows for 13 times faster results than individual testing. The method involves grouping swabs together and testing them, then using transposition-based replication to further reduce the number of tests.

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.

New drug candidate against COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have identified a potential new drug candidate against COVID-19, by developing peptides that mimic the ACE2 receptor and prevent SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding. This approach aims to prevent viral entry into host cells, thereby preventing infection.

Planting trees to save the planet: The Chinese experience

Researchers highlight China's success in launching nationwide ecological projects, which have contributed to over half of the country's natural carbon sinks. Implementing natural climate solutions could result in mitigating nearly 15 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases per year.

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.

Can the right probiotic work for breast milk-fed babies?

A study by the University of California, Davis found that breast milk-fed babies given probiotic B. infantis persist in their gut for up to 1 year, outlasting typical probiotic effects. This persistent colonization helps regulate complex sugars and prevents potential pathogens from establishing a foothold.

'Silencing' protein to weaken COVID-19

Researchers from ITQB NOVA have characterized a therapeutic target with great potential and built its first three-dimensional model. Silencing the nsp14 protein makes it easier for the organism to identify the virus' messenger RNA and activate the immune system.

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.

First 3D images of a giant molecule

Researchers have successfully visualized the entire complex for the first time, revealing its dynamic behavior and function. The model provides insight into the processes leading to spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital disease affecting one in 6,000 people.

Searching for hints of new physics in the subatomic world

Physicists employ advanced computing to study subatomic particles, pushing the boundaries of our understanding. Theoretical framework quantum chromodynamics governs these interactions, with lattice QCD offering insights into the universe's nature.

Towards a better understanding of societal responses to climate change

Researchers present a new framework for studying 'the History of Climate and Society,' which reveals that past populations adapted by exploiting opportunities and resilient energy systems. Case studies show that societies like the Roman Eastern Mediterranean thrived under adverse climate conditions.

New CABI research confirms presence of highly invasive apple snail in Kenya

Scientists at CABI have confirmed the presence of the highly invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Kenya, posing a significant threat to the country's rice production. The discovery was made through DNA barcoding analyses and confirms the species' potential to spread further, highlighting the need for strict quarantine measures.

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.

Reading between the diamonds

Researchers used lab tools to mimic extreme conditions, redefining the conditions under which carbonates can exist in the Earth's lower mantle. The study expands our understanding of the deep carbon cycle and the Earth's evolution.

FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation to Tempus' ECG analysis platform

The FDA has granted Breakthrough Device Designation to Tempus' ECG Analysis Platform, which aids clinicians in identifying patients at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze ECG results and provide insight into a patient's risk of future atrial fibrillation events.

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.

Lighting up bone repair

A team at Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a material that aids in bone healing, allows for clear assessment of bone damage and clarifies probable patient outcomes. The material incorporates a fluorescent molecule, enabling real-time visual analysis and predictions of therapeutic outcomes.

Scientists improve a photosynthetic enzyme by adding fluorophores

By introducing covalently linked fluorophores into a bacterial photosynthetic enzyme, researchers broadened the enzyme's band of harvestable light wavelengths. This improvement boosts energy conversion efficiency and paves the way for developing an efficient artificial photosynthesis system for solar energy conversion.

1º of global warming causes a ~50% increase in population displacement risk

A new study finds that global warming significantly increases the risk of population displacement due to river floods, even when accounting for population growth. The research projects a 110% increase in globally averaged displacement risk by 2100 if climate change is aligned with the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for rapid ac...

Dangerous landfill pollutants ranked in order of toxicity by MU researchers

A new system developed by University of Missouri researchers can automatically prioritize pollutants in landfills based on their toxicity and abundance. The system has the potential to help environmental agencies create more specific and efficient plans to combat leachate, which can cause cancer and other serious harm.

Bees form scent-driven phone tree to pass along messages

Researchers discovered that honeybees use pheromones to pass messages along, creating a complex communication network. The bees closest to the queen catch her scent and then transmit it to other bees in the colony, forming a chain of communication.

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.

Genome sequenced for pesky pumpkin pathogen

The first complete genome for the bacteria that causes bacterial spot disease in pumpkins has been assembled, providing valuable resources to understand its spread, host specificity, and potential resistance to chemical controls. The study identified key genes involved in infection and compared them with other Xanthomonas species.

Stanford economist and others assess aquaculture's promise and peril

A new study by Stanford-led researchers finds that aquaculture has made significant strides toward sustainability, but more oversight is needed to ensure economically viable systems. The industry's impact on the environment and its ability to deliver on its promise are being reevaluated.

Creating patterns spontaneously in synthetic materials

The team developed a spontaneous patterning method that mimics biological processes, producing resins with regular ridges and controlled height and spacing. By adjusting the initial temperature of the solution, they created materials with patterns of color and stiffness, paving the way for creating new 'smart' materials.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

IFCC-IOF study investigates harmonization of assays for ß-CTX

The IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism found significant within- and between-assay variation for ß-CTX measurement, calling for harmonization and the use of EDTA plasma for precise results. The study's recommendations aim to improve bone health globally through standardized assays.

Fatty liver hepatitis is caused by auto-aggressive immune cells

Research at TUM has discovered that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is caused by auto-aggressive immune cells. These cells destroy liver tissue when exposed to inflammation signals and products of fat metabolism, leading to NASH. New therapies may be developed to target this destructive immune response.

Repurposed heart and flu drugs may help body fight sepsis

Researchers found that higher platelet counts linked to better outcomes for patients with staph sepsis, while repurposed drugs protect platelets and improve survival of septic mice. The study suggests that boosting the immune system by protecting platelets could reduce mortality in staph sepsis.

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.

Climate change has reduced ocean mixing far more than expected

Research conducted by CNRS and international collaborators reveals that climate change has made the ocean six times stabler over the past 50 years. This increased stability limits oceanic mixing, making it harder for marine organisms to access light and for the ocean to function as a global thermostat.

Astronomers image magnetic fields at the edge of M87's black hole

The EHT collaboration has revealed a new view of the massive object at the centre of the M87 galaxy, measuring polarisation and magnetic field lines just outside the black hole. This new data is key to understanding how the M87 galaxy launches energetic jets from its core.

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.

Programs help shield Black youth from effects of racism

Family-centered programs reduce conduct problems and depression symptoms in young Black people exposed to racial discrimination. Supportive caregiving shields mental health outcomes, allowing youths to better cope with negative effects of racism.

Weird earthquake reveals hidden mechanism

Researchers uncovered a hidden fault mechanism in the Shumagin Islands region of Alaska, which led to an unexpected strike-slip earthquake. The discovery suggests that areas considered uncoupled or safe from earthquakes may actually be prone to other types of seismic activity.